Light Shards Perforated Metal Sculptures, Sydney Olympic Park

About this project

An ambitious public art project that began as a paper model has been brought to life by the expertise of Arrow Metal. Our team manufactured the panels that form the spectacular ‘Light Shards’ perforated metal sculptures, commissioned by Sydney Olympic Park.

The challenging brief by tranSTURM artist collective involved the creation of four individual sculptures, that offer a unique and immersive experience. Inside each sculpture are different objects, colours, refractions, and patterns that change to mark different festivities in celebration of the global cultures that make up the Sydney Olympic Park community.

Creating the Light Shards perforated metal sculptures: From paper to panels

The tranSTURM team came to Arrow Metal with the original concept for the sculptures: Diagrams and a detailed paper model, which revealed the complex panel folds that would be needed to create each shard.

We worked closely with tranSTURM to achieve all the practical and visual objectives, advising on the best metal and perforation pattern for the light play and refraction that the artists envisioned. We advised standard Pattern 239, an 8mm round-hole profile that would create visual impact and ignite audience curiosity, in 3mm aluminium for stunning light reflection.

Each 2400mm x 1200mm panel was custom perforated by our team to fit the shard’s geometry. This included cut-outs for the viewing windows and non-perforated areas, ready for the complicated backward and outward folds that would be carried out by post-manufacture.

A look inside the Light Shards perforated metal sculptures

Peek into each Light Shard and you’ll find a wonderous world of colour and light, of carefully placed cut-outs, mirrors, and imaginative objects. Designed by Chris Bowman, Mike Day, and Anita Kelly, the shards on Yulang Colonnade (between the Olympic Park Station and the ANZ Stadium) offer a different experience as the sun sets, scattering sunlight by day and lit from within at night.

In place until 1 April 2022, Light Shards is a captivating installation that shows the endless creative possibilities of perforated metal for artistic expression.

At Arrow Metal we collaborate with many established and upcoming Australian artists and studios, who trust our team to successfully help achieve their vision – whether it’s creating a giant woven tapestry for an exhibition or huge perforated metal clouds for a retail Christmas wonderland.

Talk to our team about your next art project on (02) 9748 2200 or contact us online here. We have the capability, expertise, and CAD technology to create bespoke perforated metal that meets all your specifications, no matter how complex or challenging your design and brief.