Sculpture gift marks 50 years for Curtin University

Friday, 3 March 2017
 
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• Curtin was established in 1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT)
• It gained university status and was renamed Curtin University of Technology in 1987.  In 2011 it became Curtin University 

A sculpture on display at this year's Cottesloe Sculpture by the Sea has been presented by the State Government to Curtin University, in recognition of the institution's 50th anniversary.

The artwork, entitled Murmur, is by Curtin graduate Anne Neil and is a marine grade aluminium piece which references the biological form of a shell structure.

"The Government is proud to recognise this milestone for Curtin University on behalf of all West Australians," Mr Barnett said.

"Curtin University has made a significant contribution to WA since it opened in 1967 as the WA Institute of Technology with 3,000 students.

"More than 215,000 students have graduated from the institution, which now has campuses across the State and in Singapore and Sarawak.

"This year, more than 4,000 staff will provide tertiary education services to about 60,000 students in the fields of architecture and construction, physical sciences, engineering and mining and teaching."

The Premier said it was fitting the sculpture was created by a prominent Curtin graduate whose work was on display at public sites across Perth.  These included cast concrete walls to the bridge abutments and noise walls at the Great Eastern Highway-Roe Highway interchange, an aluminium installation at the Mandurah Entrance Road and another at a rest stop on the Forrest Highway.

Ms Neil's work, Murmur, reflects Curtin's innovative focus in science and also has an interesting visual reference to the original WA Institute of Technology logo, which is installed on the campus near the John Curtin Gallery.

Murmur will be on display at Sculpture by the Sea, which runs from March 3-20, 2017.  More than 70 artists from 17 countries will exhibit at this year's exhibition, which is sponsored by the State Government through Tourism WA.

More than 216,000 people attended Sculpture by the Sea 2016, showing the importance of events in attracting visitors and showcasing Western Australia's beaches, attractions and vibrant culture.