Contemporary artist Xia Hang has been commissioned to create a major new public artwork for Sydney by TWT Property Group.
Xia Hang's Memory Tree commission will see the creation of a six-metre-high 'tree' out of intricate metal-work and kinetic-lighting in an Ultimo laneway in inner Sydney.
Born in 1978 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, In 2002 Xia Hang graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in China.
The Beijing-based artist, whose work is included in the White Rabbit Gallery collection and was featured in Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea in 2017, is celebrated for his intricate sculptures created from stainless-steel parts that he individually designs and makes.
Xia Hang says his sculptures are inspired by his childhood love of animations such as the Transformers series, which steered him towards a style he refers to as 'Steampunk' - the melding of ancient with virtual reality.
This new commission will be located within a new laneway in Sydney's Ultimo, as part of the Architectus designed NewLife development at 495 Harris Street.
The new laneway and public space will link Harris Street to the east, Kirk Lane to the north and Bulwarra Street to the west.
Accoriding to TWT director Gavin Zhang, "Art is seen by TWT not merely as an embellishment, but as being at the core of everything the company creates. We believe creating beautiful and meaningful spaces for residents should extend much further than the walls of a building."
For his part, Xia Hang believes that his sculptures should be considered like toys: he wants people to touch his art, to play with it.
Xia Hang's Memory Tree will be unveiled to the public in 2019.
