Congratulations to Louise Zhang, who was recently commissioned by the City of Sydney to create a new large scale public artwork as part of the 2019 Lunar Lanterns Festival.
Zhang’s ‘Monkey Tower’ stands in front of the Opera House steps at Circular Quay – an eight meter high tower of playful monkeys balancing on top of each other, juggling small glowing peaches, with a large golden peach at the top – the peach representing long life in Chinese culture.
A contemporary interpretation of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the Lunar Lanterns exhibition will line the foreshore from the Sydney Opera House, around Circular Quay to the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Blending modern technology with classic Chinese techniques, the lanterns will light up Sydney’s harbour for ten days and nights starting from 1st February and running until 10th February.
Curated by Valerie Khoo, the Lunar Lantern festival features commissioned lanterns designed by some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists including: Louise Zhang, Laurens Tan, Pamela See and Claudia Chan Shaw.
The below video made by the City of Sydney features a behind the scenes look at the making of Louise Zhang’s ‘Monkey Tower’.
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