A 'Tree of Life' for Sydney: Bharti Kher's Bronze Sculpture to Anchor New Powerhouse Museum
Sydney, Australia – A monumental new artwork is set to welcome visitors to the upcoming Powerhouse Parramatta museum. Indian artist Bharti Kher has been commissioned to create "Tree of Life," a seven-meter-tall bronze sculpture for the museum's entry plaza.
"The commission reflects the museum’s international ambition and reach." — Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah
The $700,000 sculpture, cast in 30 parts at a Melbourne foundry, will be a key feature of the new $1 billion cultural hub. It will be installed for a three-year period.
Artistic Vision & Context
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah framed the work as part of the museum's global outlook, noting Kher's status as "one of India’s most significant contemporary voices." She also highlighted that a First Nations landscape is under construction on the riverfront, forming part of the site's broader local programming.
Placed beside a retained Monterey cypress from the former Willow Grove villa grounds, the sculpture will occupy the entry plaza.
A Landmark Project Amid Criticism
Powerhouse Parramatta is being hailed as the most significant cultural infrastructure project in New South Wales since the Sydney Opera House. However, the museum has faced criticism for drifting from its original legislative mandate, which focused on applied arts and sciences.
- Kher's "Tree of Life" joins a roster of other international works announced for the site, including pieces by Es Devlin, Torlarp Larpjaroensook, and James Turrell.
The Details
- Artist: Bharti Kher
- Artwork: "Tree of Life"
- Medium: Monumental bronze sculpture
- Scale: 7 meters tall, cast in 30 parts
- Location: Entry plaza, Powerhouse Parramatta, Sydney
- Cost: $700,000 (artist's fee, construction, installation)
- Duration: Three years