OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
ARTIST UAP Studio, Belinda Smith
ARTWORK Inflorescence
CLIENT Queensland Government
ARCHITECT Conrad Gargett Architecture
CONSTRUCTION UAP Workshop, Kane Constructions
YEAR 2009
UAP were commissioned to create a new chandelier to replace the iconic centrepiece of Old Government House as part of the major restoration project by architects, Conrad Gargett.
Through careful study of architecture and natural form in the surrounding environment, the chandelier emulates the beauty of palm inflorescences (a cascading seed branch typical to sub-tropical plants) and complements the interior finishes of the historic building.
A chandelier that is lavish yet organically elegant in form, ‘Inflorescence’ features cast bronze branches that support a cascade of some 50,000 topaz and champagne crystals; imported from Austria and the Czech Republic. UAP managed its creation from design to installation, and developed an innovative solution to suspend it safely from an irreplaceable heritage glass atrium.
Belinda Smith
Artist
Belinda Smith is a cross disciplinary artist and designer. Craft techniques are central to her art practice as she draws connections between domestic objects or vernacular landscapes, and our association with memory and experiences. Ceramics and a long interest in textiles underpin her practice where she often combines and experiments with materials and processes.
Through her public artworks Belinda seeks to form connections with the artworks context both environmentally and socially. The result is site and project specific responses to architecture, landscape and history through observations of the natural and domestic environment.
Belinda’s studies include a diploma of Interior Design at RMIT in Melbourne and a Bachelor of Product Design at the Queensland College of Art. She has extensive experience with art in the public realm- from both a design and construction point of view and as a conceptual artist. She worked as a Lead Designer at UAP from 2006-2010 and now works independently as an artist and freelance designer. Belinda has been commissioned for a number of public artworks in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong and has been exhibited in galleries such as Artisan in Brisbane and the Tweed River Art Gallery.
UAP PROJECTS
Old Government House
One Airport Drive
Iceworks Façade
Mater Mothers' Hospitals
Brookes Street Foyer
