Sanné Mestrom & Team – Sanné Mestrom

Expression of Interest for the Memorial to Workers who have Died at Work Commission

TEAM MEMBERS

Sanné Mestrom, public artist (concept and design lead)
Anna Brash, Urban Art Projects (project management)
Kirsten Bauer, founding director Aspect Studios (landscape architecture)

RESPONSES

1. What do you find inspiring about this commission?

The scope of this commission is deeply inspiring, offering a rare opportunity to create a lasting tribute that seamlessly integrates sculpture with landscape. This integration is crucial for delivering a thoughtful, quality project that will remain significant and relevant for generations.

The challenge of capturing complex emotions through art while creating a functional public space is particularly motivating. Mestrom’s portfolio of ‘experiential public art’, designed for physical engagement, demonstrates the teams commitment to this approach. The curved edges of her sculptural forms present an opportunity to craft not just a contemplative artwork, but also a place of refuge and activation. This duality – serving as both a memorial and an interactive space – is creatively stimulating.

The project’s potential community impact is inspiring, offering a chance to contribute meaningfully to collective memory and healing. The intersection of history, memory, and artistic expression in public settings provides a profound canvas for creativity.

Our team’s experience in navigating public liability issues, design parameters, and complex considerations, coupled with our collaboration with structural engineers, ensures we can push artistic boundaries while maintaining practicality and safety.

2. How would you approach this commission through your creative practice?

Our approach to this commission is rooted in two key considerations:

Building on Mestrom’s 2024 ‘Solar Cry’ exhibition, which explored the complexities and paradoxes of care, we will create sculptures that express the duality of love and pain. Drawing inspiration from the resonant bronze works in that show – an abstracted weeping figure and a celebratory figure reaching skyward – Mestrom aims to develop a memorial that holds both grief and celebration. As a team, we’ll craft a sculptural project that embodies these nuanced expressions of love and remembrance.
Consistent with Mestrom’s public art practice, this project will be designed not just to be viewed, but actively engaged with. Mestrom create’s sculptures that invite opportunities for self-directed interaction, bringing together diverse community members. The memorial will offer spaces for sitting, resting, and reflecting, encouraging a deeper, more personal connection with the artwork.

By thoughtfully incorporating interactivity into a socially engaged practice, we aim to create an intergenerational space, a place for community to renew their commitment to advocate for the prevention of injury and death at work. Visitors of all ages will find opportunities to develop their imaginations, share stories, and connect with the memorial’s purpose. This approach ensures the project serves as both a dignified tribute and a living, communal space for reflection and healing.

3. How would you approach consultations and relationships on such a sensitive topic?

Mestrom’s approach to community consultation for this sensitive project is rooted in extensive experience with public art practices. The project will be community-driven in two key ways:

Before casting, the public will be invited to engrave personal messages directly into the wax molds, creating a time capsule of dreams and memories within the sculpture.
Once installed, the works will be physically engaging, inviting interaction like an outdoor living room.

To facilitate this, Mestrom’s team will organise a series of workshops where diverse community members can collaborate on key aspects of the project. These sessions, led by Mestrom and her experienced assistant, will be held in familiar local spaces to ensure accessibility and comfort.

Recognising the emotional nature of the topic, the team will employ sensitive facilitation strategies, creating a safe space for expression and dialogue. They’ll actively seek diverse perspectives, ensuring representation from various community groups.

Throughout the process, Mestrom and her team will maintain open communication with stakeholders, balancing artistic vision with community needs. This approach not only honors the memorial’s purpose but also fosters a sense of ownership and connection among participants.

By integrating community input with their artistic expertise, Mestrom’s team aims to create a meaningful, inclusive memorial that resonates deeply with its audience.
See example here: https://www.artplayrisk.com.au/the-gift

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