The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia) today announces a landmark public sculpture commission series for the Tallawoladah Lawn, located at the front of MCA Australia, on the spectacular foreshores of Warrane, Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay.
The series will launch in 2025, with significant support from The Balnaves Foundation, in honour of Neil Balnaves AO, who would have celebrated his 80th birthday this month.
The Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission will present a large-scale sculptural work from a leading international or Australian contemporary artist from spring through to autumn each year from 2025-2028; creating memorable encounters with the best contemporary art and ideas for millions of Australians and visitors.
The Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission series is supported by The Balnaves Foundation through a gift of $3 million, to celebrate the life of Neil Balnaves AO (1944 – 2022) and pay tribute to his vision and philanthropic contribution to the arts in Australia.
Hamish Balnaves, CEO, The Balnaves Foundation said, “The Balnaves family is thrilled to partner with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia on this exciting project to bring large public artworks to Sydney.
This public sculpture commission series, in memory of my father Neil Balnaves, is a wonderful tribute celebrating his life, legacy and passion for public art.
Neil was a passionate and vocal advocate of the arts and making art accessible to all. Millions of Sydneysiders and visitors from around the country and overseas will be able to enjoy these significant new works. The Tallawoladah Lawn, outside the MCA and on the doorstep of Sydney is the perfect location and we are excited to see what the series will bring.”
Suzanne Cotter, MCA Australia Director said, “The Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission is an extraordinary opportunity to bring contemporary art into the public realm of Tallawoladah overlooking Warrane/Sydney Harbour and to engage everyone, from the casual passerby to the dedicated art lover.
We are deeply indebted to The Balnaves Foundation and the Balnaves family for their support of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s vision to make contemporary art a part of people’s everyday lives.
Neil Balnaves was an exceptional person, whose vision and contribution to the arts and to MCA Australia over many decades has enriched the cultural fabric of Australia. We are delighted to announce this series and view it as a fitting legacy to his life-long commitment to enrich people’s lives through art and to make it accessible to a broad public.”
Tallawoladah is the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and home to stories, art and culture for over 65,000 years.
The first artist for The Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission will be announced later in the year and the sculpture is expected to be unveiled in September 2025.
About Neil Balnaves AO
1944 – 2022
OCTOBER 26, 2021: SYDNEY, NSW. Former television executive Neil Balnaves poses during a photo shoot in Sydney, New South Wales. (Photo by John Appleyard Photography / Newspix)
In 2006, Neil Balnaves AO founded The Balnaves Foundation. Already an established philanthropist, Neil wanted to create a pathway for intergenerational giving, bringing his family together to help create a better Australia through the arts, education and medicine.
Prior to establishing the Foundation, Neil had a long and successful career in the media industry, including founding the Southern Star Group in 1988. As a film and TV executive, Neil was proud to have been involved in bringing many popular shows to Australian screens, including Water Rats, Blue Heelers, Big Brother, The Secret Life of Us, McLeod’s Daughters and Bananas in Pyjamas.
Neil was the Chairman of Ardent Leisure Group, one of Australia’s most successful owners and operators of premium leisure assets, from 2003 until 2016. Other former directorships include Hanna-Barbara Australia, Reed Consolidated Industries, Hamlyn Group, Taft Hardie, Southern Star Group and Southern Cross Broadcasting.
He was the Chancellor of Charles Darwin University, and a former Director and Trustee Member of Bond University, receiving an Honorary Doctorate of the Bond University in 2009. In addition, Neil was a Board Member of the Art Gallery of South Australia from 2013 to 2019, was a former member of the Advisory Council and Dean’s Circle at the University of New South Wales Faculty of Medicine, and in 2 010 received an Honorary Doctorate of the University of New South Wales.
Neil was immensely proud to be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2010, for his services to the community through philanthropic support for the arts, education, medical research and Indigenous programs, and to business.
Neil sadly passed away in February 2022 and is greatly missed by his family who honour his legacy, ensuring Neil’s vision for the Foundation, to create a better Australia, will continue. To find out more about The Balnaves Foundation,
www.balnavesfoundation.com
