Artworks of the Campus

The earliest designs for the ANU Campus included the addition of various artworks in buildings and public spaces across the campus to create a truly unique environment. “Works of art in a place of learning were considered to enhance the academic environment because their presence demonstrated a culture that valued creative thinking” (Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, p.109). With this thinking in mind, a number of artworks were commissioned in conjunction with the development of the campus.  

Arguably the best example of the integration of architecture and artworks on the campus is University House. University House is home to the earliest commissioned artwork on the campus, Gerald Lewers’ sculpture ‘Relaxation’, which was commissioned in 1953, at the same time as the first designs for the building were being created. University House has also been home to major sculptural works by Frank Hinder, Leonard French and Mark Grey-Smith. In 1972 Leonard French was commissioned to create a mural for the dining hall of University House. This large-scale mural, which French developed at his glass studio near Bendigo, Victoria, measured 30 square feet and was titled ‘Regeneration’. In 1996 University House purchased the Leonard French series 'The Journey', consisting of ten panels that are installed on the walls of the hall. 

There are also some outstanding sculptural screens and panels integrated into the exteriors of various buildings on campus. Amongst these are Lyndon Dadswell’s copper screens on the windows of the RG Menzies Library (installed in 1961), Matcham Skipper’s screens on the HC Coombs Building (installed in 1962), Lenton Parr’s cast concrete panels on the original Chemistry Building (installed in 1962) and Michael Snape’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ installed along the exterior of Graduate House in 1998 and 2002.   

Some of the other notable artworks on campus include: 

·       Vincas Jomantas’ sculpture ‘in the Pursuit of Knowledge’, installed in the courtyard of the Physics Building in 1962. 

·       A bronze sculpture of Saraswati the Goddess of Knowledge, gifted to the University in 1969 by the Indonesian Government. The work was cast by students at the Institute of the Arts in Yogyakarta and installed in the pond outside the entrance to the ANU Chancelry Building. 

·       Gerald Lewers’ bronze sculptural work ‘Lady Theaden Hancock Memorial Fountain: Swans in Flight’. Sir Keith Hancock commissioned this work in memory of his wife Lady Theaden. It was installed outside the Drawing Room of University House in 1961.  

·       Gregory Johns’ steel sculpture ‘Guardian Figures’ installed on the lawn outside the H.C. Coombs Building in 2003.   

·       Michael Le Grand’s steel sculpture ‘Torii’, installed outside the entry to the School of Art & Design in 1999.  

·       Mary Kayser’s painted steel sculpture ‘Chrysalis’, installed at the entrance to the John Yencken Building in 1988.  

·       Anne Ferguson’s ‘Life’s Shadows’, a screen print on glass installed on the façade of the Peter Baume Building in 2004.  

The ANU has produced a sculpture walk guide to sculptures across the Acton Campus - https://services.anu.edu.au/files/guidance/Sculpture-Walk-Brochure_0.pdf

References

Godden Mackay Logan Heritage Consultants 2012, ANU Heritage Study: Acton Campus. Volume 1: Heritage Study, https://services.anu.edu.au/files/document-collection/Volume_1_of_the_ANU_Acton_Campus_Heritage_Study.compressed.pdf