Untitled (1975) by Ken Unsworth Removed for Conservation

The landmark Ken Unsworth sculpture that has been sited in the Drill Hall Gallery forecourt since the 90s is being removed for conservation.

A renowned Australian contemporary artist, Ken Unsworth’s (1931-present) practice spans painting, sculpture, theatre, performance and installation. Unsworth trained at Melbourne Teachers College and became a lecturer in art at The Sydney Centre for Adult Education. In the 70s, Unsworth rose to prominence as a sculptor for conceptual works that brought together performance, his body and sculptural forms. Unsworth’s works frequently feature bodies held in suspension, as though between the material and spiritual world. Major works are held in the Art Gallery of New South Wales collection and the National Gallery of Australia collection.

Untitled was commissioned in 1975 and was originally sited on the lawns outside Chifley library. Made of stainless steel held in tension by wire rope, Unsworth’s sculpture invokes nature by using the opposite and equal principles of gravity and defiance of gravity. Damage to the steel form over the years will be treated and the wires will be retensioned to bring the work back to its original state.