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SkyRidge extends a welcome hand to local arts
The Gold Coast’s newest master-planned community is demonstrating its strong commitment to local arts as a major event sponsor and by commissioning a series of public artworks throughout its development.
SkyRidge has become a platinum sponsor of The Doyles Art Award & Exhibition 2022 and commissioned a large-scale steel sculpture, Welcoming Hands, by local artist Mike Van Dam as an entrance feature.
Dutch-Australian artist and Gold Coast resident, Mr Van Dam says his magical sculptures made from polished stainless-steel chain are created to gently reflect the colour and light of the surrounding landscape.
“Welcoming Hands embodies a sense of openness, community and interconnectedness, and is intended to become a landmark and meeting place for SkyRidge residents and community members,” says Mr Van Dam.
“The hands reference the universal gesture of ‘welcome’ and intentionally reach upward toward the Gold Coast skyline, signifying the possibilities of the horizon.”
An expert in stainless steel due to his previous profession as a sheet metal worker, Mr Van Dam’s passion for contemporary art and sculpture was forged in 2010 after attending the SWELL Sculpture Festival at Currumbin Beach.
Since then, he has created astonishing structures crafted from 4mm and 6mm 316 marine-grade stainless steel chain, made up of over 830,000 welds meticulously linked together to make varying shapes and forms that result in cathartic, mesmerising works.
“Living on the Gold Coast, I draw a lot of inspiration from the surrounding nature – the ocean, marine life and animals – a stark contrast to the industrial steel I use to craft my works,” says Mr Van Dam.
“The chain is high-quality and easily manipulated, and once the links are welded together, they become extremely strong and durable, ideal for the harsh coastal environment – it will literally last for hundreds of years.”
Situated in the central Gold Coast suburb of Worongary, SkyRidge is a residential offering delivering up to 3,500 dwellings, a high-quality Retail Village Centre, a proposed school anticipated to provide education from Prep through to Year 12 and a childcare centre.
A key feature of the development will be its expansive network of large open green spaces, parkland and recreation areas, environmental corridors and public art.
For more information visit www.skyridgeliving.com.au.
