Kaldor Public Art Projects

Established in 1969 by John Kaldor, Kaldor Public Art Project’s aim is to create art beyond the gallery by bringing ground breaking contemporary international artists to Australian to create unique and often site-specific works.

John Kaldor’s projects have played a critical part in Australia’s contemporary art history since the first project, Wrapped Coast Little Bay Sydney by Christo and Jeanne-Claude . Other artists include Gilbert and George, Jeff Koon and Bill Viola. In 1984-85 the work of three Australian artists (Mike Parr, Imants Tiller and Ken Unsworth) were presented in New York and Washington as part of a survey of Australian contemporary art, An Australian Accent.

In October 2009, the 40th anniversary of the first Kaldor Public Art Project was celebrated with a survey exhibition in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Curated by Anthony Bond, the survey displayed films, artworks, objects and ephemera from many past Kaldor projects. This history was also documented in a publication 40 Years: Kaldor Public Art Projects.

To coincide with the exhibition, Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi presented the 19th Kaldor Public Art Project. Nishi enclosed Gilbert Bayes’ two larger-than-life equestrian sculptures outside the Gallery’s entrance within room-like structures, decorated inside as a domestic bedroom and living room.

The Balnaves Foundation assists financially to make these wonderful projects a reality. The Foundation has also contributed funds to employ a fund-raiser so that these important projects, that are free to the public, will continue.

Martin Boyce We are Shipwrecked and Landlocked, 2008
Installation view

Bill Viola Firewoman, 2005

Christo & Jeanne-Claude Wrapped Coast, 1969
Copyright Christo
Photo by Wolfgang Wolz

 Tatzu Nishi War and peace and in between, 2009

For furthur information please visit the Kaldor Public Art Projects website