The National Gallery of Australia has unveiled artist Lindy Lee’s largest work to date, Ouroboros. Ouroboros as a title, concept, and shape of the artwork itself, infers infinity and inclusiveness, the circular symbol which echoes the form of a snake eating its own tail is intended to suggest a meditative whole loop, unity, and a balance of forces which interconnect and sustain.
The artist is 70 years old this year and has been creating art since the 1980s, as well as practicing Buddhism which greatly informs her life and work. She has said “Zen Buddhism … [is] about paying attention to your life and stepping into your life fully. In Zen, enlightenment is the capacity to be intimate with every moment of your existence, even the hard bits, the moments which bring you to your knees.” There’s even a guided mediation you can listen to as you are present in Ouroboros.
It won’t just be a sculpture to behold, visitors can go inside the belly of the beast. As the gallery says, you will be able enter the ‘mouth’ of the sculpture and walk into the curved space to experience darkness that is illuminated by light beams emanating from the hundreds of perforations on its surface. Obviously this experience, like the James Turrell ‘Skyspace’ already at the national institution, will differ depending on the time of day. The work is open 24hrs and is free to visit.
The 13-tonne masterpiece has been four years in the making to celebrate the gallery’s 40th anniversary; it was made in Brisbane with the help of UAP Company and more than 400 contributed to its realisation. It travelled to Canberra by road, watch the Art Truckers series here which follows the journey. You can learn more about the artist and project on ABCs Compass episode here.
The sculpture also happens to be Australia’s most expensive piece of public art with a $14 million price tag. Moreover it is a leader in sustainability. Ouroboros incorporates recycled materials and maximised renewable energy and measures to minimise its carbon impact, making it one of Australia’s first sustainable works of public art, claims the gallery.
From tomorrow, the 25th of October the NGA will open an exhibition for audiences to appreciate more of Lee’s artistic career.