Over the past 25 years Ruth has been commissioned by NSW Councils and architectural practices to design and oversee the crafting and installation of multiple 2D and 3D public artworks for outdoor public spaces. A diverse portfolio of works in steel, concrete, terrazzo, glass and mosaic have been designed and constructed for a broad range of clients.

 

Sculptural landmark

CHARLES STREET WHARF, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
A wrought-iron steel sculpture reflects the theme of ‘Meeting place of the eels’, the original Indigenous meaning of Parramatta. The base provides seating and the pebble mosaic is a formal entry way to and from the waterfront.

 

M4 Motorway wall panels

ALONG 40 KM OF MOTORWAY BETWEEN PARRAMATTA AND PENRITH, SYDNEY
Each of these 650 acoustic panels is 10m long and 2.5- 5m high. Eight full-scale designs were cast into concrete multiple times, each concept reflecting the surrounding environment and history.

 

Wall + water feature

BICENTENNIAL PARK, HOMEBUSH BAY, SYDNEY
The mangrove theme of this public artwork and children’s water-play area reflects the park’s natural environment. The spiral-mosaic splash pond connects to other shallow pools and is contained by punctured concrete feature wall.

 

Main street fencing

CHURCH ST, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
The fencing and planter box designs reflect the river and heritage buildings. A suite of designs suit a range of needs along the main street.

 

Grates and tree guards

PARRAMATTA MALL UPGRADE, SYDNEY
These designs for planter boxes, fences, tree guards and grates formed the core of an urban space upgrade that won a Greenspace Award from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA, NSW).

 

Wall mural

MARKET LANE, MANLY, SYDNEY
An innovative mural project to revitalise a neglected laneway. The graphic treatment disguises the patchwork of facades while the Manly Daily headlines from the last 80 years add local relevance.

 

James Ruse Drive bridge fender – public artwork

JAMES R– USE DRIVE BRIDGE, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
A tribute to James Ruse who planted the first wheat crops in Australia in this region in 1791. The quote was taken verbatim from his gravestone in Campbelltown. Stainless steel onto timber fenders.

 

The Dominion

APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT, 31 HASSALL ST, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
Seventy lineal metres at pedestrial level. Native vegetation references the street as it was in 1788. Overlays are anodised aluminium engraved and enamel filled.

 

Awning – public artwork

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, 24 HUNTER ST, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
This awning/artwork is a translucent digital print sandwiched between clear glass. The supporting structure can be glimpsed from below through the coloured glazing. It echoes the geometric patterns evident on heritage buildings in the streetscape.

 

Pavement mosaic

JUBILEE PARK, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
An extensive glass mosaic was assembled into Church Street Mall around banner poles and was relocated into Jubilee Park in 2016.

 

Terrazzo floor

HERITAGE CENTRE, PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY
Map of Parramatta in 1844 highlighting street grid and location of prominent buildings. Key heritage sites are identified with engraved brass plaques.