By Penny Craswell
A five-metre high pig made with a criss-crossing three dimensional structure fitted with LED lights is one of a number of lighting installations created this year in Sydney to celebrate the Chinese year of the pig.
The sculpture is by Chinese-Australian artist Qian Jian Hua (Justin) and its exoskeleton is made of steel. Justin Qian was born in Nanjing, China and moved to Australia in 1991 after Tiananmen Square.
Another pig sculpture unveiled by the City of Sydney for the new year is The Light of Good Fortune, designed by McDermott Baxter in collaboration with artists Matt Hou Him Lai and Jincheng Jiang.
The sculpture takes the form of circles of flying pigs, referring to the expression that pigs might fly. The 2.5m by 2.2m golden chandelier is suspended above the centre of Pitt Street Mall as part of the new year’s festivities, which also include a record-beating yum cha and dragon boat races.
“We have interpreted the Year of the Pig as symbolising generosity and material prosperity,” says Ruth McDermott from McDermott Baxter. “We have chosen the gold finish to connect with the idea of prosperity and money but also because the lucky colours of the Pig are gold and yellow (avoiding blue and green which are unlucky).”
The pig is the twelfth sign of the Chinese zodiac is known for being friendly and a fun personality, while also being linked with prosperity and good fortune.
Happy Lunar New Year!
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