Newman Health Campus Artworks – February 2023
Nguurrara Ngajuki (My Country)
Artist: Mel McVee
“Mel McVee in collaboration with Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, the Nyiyaparli People and Mossenson Art Projects”
In May 2022 Artforms WA was approached by Mossenson Art Projects to fabricate three artworks to be installed at the entry of the Newman Health Campus in WA’s Pilbara.
Artforms WA worked in close collaboration with Talya Mossenson to develop Mel McVee’s concepts.
We devised a strong, successful fabrication methodology to enable the artworks to work in three dimensions and provided structural certification.
The sculptures were designed to be fabricated from plug-welded, laminated layers of corten steel, for strength and durability.
They each stood on reinforced cylindrical plinths.
We prepare cutting files for approval by the artist.
Artforms sourced all materials and organised the laser cutting of the artwork sections.
All sections were finished, welded and reinforced at our workshops in Bibra Lake.
We sanded blasted the finished works prior to priming and painting with two-pack car paint.
The circular form of the sculptures meant that we had to overcome the issue of matching cylindrical footings with the artwork plinths over a considerable distance. Artforms devised the footings for ease of installation, solving this dilemma by sourcing and delivering suitable sized spun, reinforced concrete liners to site.
These were installed to our specifications by Marina Bricklayers of Newman.
Artforms organised delivery of the three finished sculptures to Newman and oversaw the installation on site.
We coordinated between all suppliers and businesses involved in the creation of the Newman sculptures.
Artforms WA supported at least eleven other small WA businesses in the fabrication, delivery and installation of these artworks.