- One of Australia’s biggest thermoplastic 3D-printed public art installations lights up at Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus
- Artwork created as part of the Cook Labor Government’s Percent for Art Scheme
- Welcome addition to Central Regional TAFE’s new $10 million trades workshop
Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus has unveiled a stunning new public artwork capturing the Goldfields region’s diverse community and thriving resources sector.
‘The Wending’ is one of Australia’s biggest thermoplastic 3D-printed public art installations and was created by Kalgoorlie-Boulder artist Linda Rae as part of the State Government’s Percent for Art Scheme.
The artwork’s bright blue colour celebrates the endless blue skies of possibility found in the Goldfields and at Central Regional TAFE.
The solar tree, with a tall, smooth trunk, reminiscent of a Goldfields Gum, showcases the technologies and sustainability industries thriving in, and driving, modern Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The artwork was printed on one of the biggest 3D printers in the southern hemisphere and the largest 3D printer in WA, with a print area of nine by three metres.
It was fabricated in Perth by Hyperion Systems, using their own patented design.
The solar tree is a fitting addition to Central Regional TAFE’s new $10 million trades workshop opened by the Cook Labor Government in March.
The new training facilities are part of the Cook Labor Government’s record $250 million TAFE capital works program.
The Kalgoorlie campus upgrades include training spaces for plant mechanics and heavy auto and auto electrical trade disciplines with a dedicated workshop, classrooms and laboratory.
In an Australian-first, the artist used 100 per cent recycled polypropylene carbonate pellets for the construction of the artwork, which incorporates self-sustaining, solar powered LED lighting that brings the tree to life at night.
The points of the navigational compass incorporated into the piece depict the many directions people travel to and from Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and the roots winding from the tree depict the journey, growth and beauty of finding one’s place in the city that never sleeps.
As stated by Minister Assisting the Training and Workforce Development Minister Hannah Beazley:
“The Wending artwork is a wonderful addition to Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus, with local artist Linda Rae perfectly capturing so many facets of the Goldfields community, industry and innovation.
“The artwork is a striking addition to the $10 million state-of-the-art trades workshops the Cook Labor Government delivered at Central Regional TAFE’s Kalgoorlie campus earlier this year as part of our record investment in WA TAFEs.
“This stunning new addition was delivered through the State Government’s Percent for Art Scheme which encourages art in the built environment by using a percentage of a development’s overall budget to commission art on new public buildings.”
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
“I am so proud Kalgoorlie is home to this magnificent artwork, one of the largest thermoplastic 3D-printed public art installations in the country.
“Local artist Linda Rae’s unique creation symbolises Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s bright future in technology, trades and sustainability.
“For years to come the artwork will showcase the Goldfields region’s talents, enhance the training experience for students and staff and provide inspiration to all who visit the Central Regional TAFE Kalgoorlie campus.”
