Urban Art Projects (UAP) is an Australian company that works with artists, architects, designers, developers, curators, institutions and art commissioners to realize public art and architectural design elements.[1][2][3]
| Formation | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Matthew Tobin and Daniel Tobin |
| Founded at | Brisbane |
| Legal status | Privately owned company |
| Location |
|
| Locations |
|
Staff | 300 |
| Website | uapcompany |
Formerly called | Urban Artists |
History
editThe company was founded in 1993 in Brisbane, Australia by brothers Matthew and Daniel Tobin.[4][5] Its initial name was Urban Artists.[5] The Tobin brothers first purchased a small welding and metal fabrication company that worked on marine and construction projects.[6] Over time, they invested the profits of this first company into the construction of a foundry that could be used for art projects.[7] One of UAP's first clients was the Australian Waanyi multi-media artist Judy Watson.[8][7]
The company has its main office and studios in Brisbane, and a satellite studio in Shanghai.[9] In 2019, UAP acquired New York-based foundry, Polich Tallix.[5][10] The same year, UAP began using a large industrial robot for selected projects at its Brisbane studio.[11]
Notable projects
edit- Hank Willis Thomas' oversized arm sculpture Unity at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, cast at UAP's Polich Tallix foundry.[5]
- Tow Row, a bronze fishing net sculpture in front of the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art by Judy Watson.[8]
- Gilded Cage and Arch, part of Ai Weiwei's 2017 project Good Fences make Good Neighbors.[12][13]
- Wahat Al Karama, a 2018 memorial to fallen Emirati soldiers by Idris Khan.[14]
- Kraken a giant 2017 octopus sculpture for a Shanghai playground. By Florentijn Hofman.[7]
- Messengers of Brisbane, a series of oversized finch sculptures installed around Brisbane. By the artist Florentijn Hofman.[15]
- NOW, a sculpture installed on the rooftop Courthouse of the Appellate Division, First Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. By the artist Shahzia Sikander.[16]
- City of Parramatta public art sculptures for artists Reko Rennie and Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro.[17][18]
- Lindy Lee's public art commission for the National Gallery of Australia[19]
References
edit- ^ Mohn, Tanya (19 May 2021). "In New York and More, Public Art Is Taking on Thorny Social Issues". The New York Times.
- ^ Zeiba, Drew (19 June 2018). "Visiting UAP, the studio fabricating many of the biggest projects in art and architecture". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
- ^ "Specialist foundry UAP aims to "make art happen"". Dezeen. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Magazine, Wallpaper* (12 October 2010). "Urban Art Projects". Wallpaper*.
- ^ a b c d "From a Tucked-Away New York Town, UAP Brings Large-Scale Art to Life". Metropolis. 25 March 2020.
- ^ Forman, Sarah (14 March 2018). "The Shanghai Art Factory That's Constructing Massive Public Artworks". Artsy.
- ^ a b c "Meet the dream builders bringing Ai Weiwei's art to life in New York". South China Morning Post. 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Judy Watson for GOMA Turns 10". Radio National. 2 December 2016.
- ^ McDONALD, PATRICK (22 February 2016). "The amazing 5-metre inflatable sculpture". adelaidenow.
- ^ Franklin, Sydney (11 April 2019). "Two major art and design fabricators merge into new powerhouse". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- ^ Pash, Chris (10 August 2017). "Meet the Australian robot creating unique pieces of public art". Business Insider Australia.
- ^ "Ai Weiwei launches controversial public art project focused on immigration". the Guardian. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Arch: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors". CODAworx.
- ^ "British artist Idris Khan designs first memorial dedicated to Emirati soldiers". Architectural Digest India. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Brisbane Festival 2020: Beware, giant Gouldian finch birds are coming from big rubber duck creator Florentijn Hofman in September". Australian Financial Review. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Tuchman, Phyllis (11 April 2023). "Having Excelled as a Painter, Shahzia Sikander Is Mastering an Unexpected New Medium: Sculpture". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Busby, Ellie (28 July 2023). "First Nations artwork honours the eel". Parra News. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Artists bouncing back". Blue Mountains Gazette. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ Convery, Stephanie (23 September 2021). "National Gallery of Australia orders $14m Ouroboros sculpture – its most expensive commission so far". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 August 2023.