ORANGE City councillor Russell Turner stepped up his crusade to help Orange secure Terrance Plowright’s work Uniting A Nation by visiting the artist at his Blue Mountains workshop on the weekend and reiterating Orange’s desire to house the $1 million work.
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While Mr Plowright told the Central Western Daily last week he suspected the aluminium work, which would stand about four-stories high, would eventually find a home in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Cr Turner said there was still hope for Orange.
“I think we’ve got a 50-50 chance of getting it,” Cr Turner said.
“I think our enthusiasm has helped a little.”
Cr Turner said Mr Plowright was excited to learn Orange was so interested in his work and aware that Gosford City Council had also expressed an interest.
“He and the benefactor’s (Basil Sellers) agent will meet on December 4 to make a decision on where it will go,” Cr Turner said.
“I told him we’d love him to come to Orange before that decision is made.”
Cr Turner said since meeting with Mr Plowright he now had a more in-depth understanding on the work and its cultural significance.
“After talking with him, I’m even keener now that we should have it,” he said.
“I thought it was a pipedream to start with, but now I’m
hopeful.”
If Orange was to secure the artwork, it would be at no cost to Orange ratepayers, although a fundraiser or grant would be required to pay for the transportation of the 4.5-tonne sculpture and its installation.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au