2025 Best Public Art Project winner announced
At Rider Levett Bucknall, we proudly celebrate the power of public art to transform place and strengthen community. The Rider Levett Bucknall Award for Best Public Art Project honours creative excellence, cultural storytelling and community impact. This year’s finalists show how art connects people to place and elevates the built environment.
Public art is more than just visual expression; it is a reflection of our society, our rich cultural heritage, our values and our aspirations. It has the unique ability to engage, provoke thought and create a sense of belonging among diverse audiences. It invites us to slow down and appreciate the world around us, challenging us to see our surroundings through a different lens.
“The value of artwork is not dollar-driven – it’s about people and their connection to place. But the financial value of creating destinations that build community is clear. Good art supports that. When RLB introduced the Best Public Art Project award, it reflected a growing industry recognition: art is central to placemaking. And as our cities grow and change, public art will continue to shape how we experience them – not just as infrastructure, but as places to connect, remember and belong.” – Fiona Doherty, Director
Winner
Bloodlines weaving string and water – Judy Watson, Upper House, Brisbane
This striking 29-metre sculpture by Judy Watson anchors the base of Upper House in South Brisbane. Formed from red-ochre corten steel and lit from within, it draws on the traditional idea of bush string – used for carrying, binding and storytelling – to reflect strength, survival and identity.
Installed in late 2023, the work invites viewers into a conversation with Indigenous heritage, creating a powerful new landmark in the city’s cultural landscape. It joins 25 other public artworks across the precinct.
Watson describes her work: “Lines of light criss-cross the river and the land… They are the bloodlines that pull us to Country and culture… Looping strands of bush-string float across the pierced red ochre coloured metal, connecting us all to this place.”
The sculpture evokes the serpentine Maiwar (Brisbane River) through shimmering light, wind and water. It’s especially striking at night, when it glows with starlight. Free walking tours are available via Aboriginal Art Co for those wanting to explore more of the precinct’s cultural stories.
Finalists
Denman Prospect Sculpture Trail – Capital Estate Developments, Canberra
Anchoring Perth’s Elizabeth Quay, this striking office tower champions sustainability, wellness, and Indigenous engagement. With flexible workspaces and high-performance services, it exemplifies the future of commercial development – delivering public benefit while raising the bar for workplace design.
Brookfield Properties, Hassell, Jonathan Ierace (RLB – Cost Management & Quantity Surveying), Property Council of Australia.
Flow, Fold – Georgia Hill, Equinix Data Centre, Alexandria
This bold, 4,300-square-metre mural wraps the Equinix Data Centre in dynamic forms. Selected through a staff-led process, it references Alexandria’s industrial past and today’s digital infrastructure – turning a functional building into a striking visual landmark.
Nepean Looking Glass – Pullman Sydney Penrith
This reflective steel sculpture curves through the hotel lobby, paying homage to the nearby Nepean River. It creates a fluid link between natural landscape and guest experience – anchoring the hotel in its local context.
Parramatta Square Public Art Collection – Walker Corporation
Commissioned by the late Lang Walker, this curated series brings together major works by Australian and Indigenous artists under the theme Dare to Dream. It redefines Parramatta Square as a cultural landmark, rich in identity, resilience and civic pride.
Sydney Metro Northwest Public Art Program – Sydney Metro
Embedded in stations, underpasses and walkways, this place-based art program brings colour, storytelling and cultural connection to the city’s new Metro line – turning everyday infrastructure into moments of community engagement.
Congratulations to all the 2025 finalists – and especially to Judy Watson – for artworks that enrich our cities with meaning, memory and connection.
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