A giant replica of architect Harry Seidler’s Rose Seidler Mural has been installed on the rooftop of the new Piazza at Grosvenor Place, also designed by Seidler.
The mural is a copy of the original artwork painted by Seidler on the wall of his parents’ home, the Rose Seidler House, in 1950. The original mural’s design is composed of bright hues and free-form linework.
The replica mural has been created using a variety of locally sourced gravels and coloured glass, displayed between aluminium extrusions of different widths, which form the lines of the abstract work.
Principal architect for the new Grosvenor Place Piazza, Greg Holman of Harry Seidler Associates, said, “All of Harry’s buildings integrate art into the architecture. For us, the roof surface is fifth facade of the building and in this case, the curved form lent itself to the linework of Harry’s painting – a composition of colour-filled abstract shapes.”
The time Seidler spent in Brazil working for 20th century architect Oscar Niemeyer inspired the original mural. He was particularly encouraged by buildings such as Rio de Janeiro’s Ministry of Education and Health, built in 1936.
Speaking on the Rose Seidler Mural in a 1998 ABC Radio National interview, Seidler said, “This came forth on my way to Australia, from my time with Oscar Niemeyer – one element [of his] was the embellishment [of] large and small buildings [with] wall-to-wall murals. I thought the terrace [of the Rose Seidler House] should have a visually exciting and domineering [piece]. I painted this myself. I’m quite pleased with it and I make no apologies for it. It reflects [the] aim to make art an important element of architectural composition.”
Lord mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said, “This is a wonderful example of the contribution being made by artists and those in the private and public sector who are producing new developments with innovative architecture and important public artworks.”
During Seidler’s career he designed more than 180 buildings, and collaborated with artists and sculptors such as Frank Stella, whos work was an influence in Seidler’s design of Grosvenor Place. Three pieces from Stella’s Cones and Pillars series grace the walls of the lobby.
