Created by artists Julia Brampton and Phill Calvert working collaboratively as Kitty Calvert, the sculpture was delivered through a structured tender, design, fabrication, and installation process involving a wide network of specialist contributors.

From Tender to Commission

In September 2023, the call for tenders for sculptural works to be included within the park redevelopment. Four artists were selected, with Kitty Calvert awarded a commission for Contemplation Spot. Initially developed under the working title Higher Education, the proposal included concept drawings, costings, and material considerations. The successful tender was confirmed in November 2023, with the finished work becoming part of Council’s permanent public art collection.

Concept and Intent

The sculpture takes the form of an oversized stack of antique books, referencing both accumulated knowledge and the act of pausing to reflect. The idea emerged from two sources: a Venice bookshop where flood damaged books were stacked into a walkable landscape, and the artists’ daily walks during pandemic lockdowns along Port Melbourne’s foreshore. The work functions as a sculptural seat, encouraging visitors to stop, sit, and engage quietly with their surroundings.

Design, Engineering, and Compliance

The development phase included scale maquettes and a full-size mock-up to test form, proportion, and placement. Cameron Tampling, industrial designer and draftsperson, produced certified engineering drawings and structural specifications. These ensured the sculpture exceeded load and safety requirements, complying with Australian standards for fall height, step dimensions, drainage, and structural performance.
Legal checks were also undertaken to address potential copyright issues related to the book titles incorporated into the design.

Fabrication and Engraving

Steel fabrication was carried out by Mitchell O’Connell and the team at Bespoke Steel, working closely with the artists throughout construction. An important part of achieving the sculpture’s antique book character was the design of the individual book spines. To ensure the correct specifications, file types, and visual detailing, Kitty Calvert enlisted Black Widow Design, with Elly Mantzaris leading the graphic design process. The engraved book spines—critical to the sculpture’s visual identity—were then produced by Jeremy Plaistead at Identifi using CNC engraving to achieve sufficient depth for the multi‑layer paint system.

Protective Coatings and Finishes

Given the sculpture’s exposure to weather and constant public interaction, Chris Cutler from Dulux® Protective Coatings provided technical product advice by specifying an appropriate five‑coat protective system and referred the team to Australian Steel Coatings, whose experience with complex industrial and artistic finishes aligned with the project’s requirements.

At Australian Steel Coatings’ Sunshine West facility, Dominic Matiasik oversaw sandblasting to the Class Sa 2.5 standard, followed by the application of a five‑coat, two‑pack coating system. The process incorporated zinc priming, epoxy build coats, caulking of gaps with Fosroc Nitoseal PU400, polyurethane coating, metallic gold detailing, and a final clear coat. All stages were completed to Australian Standards and fully documented, as outlined below:

• 1st coat: Dulux® Zincanode® 402 @ 75-microns, a two‑pack epoxy zinc‑rich primer applied over abrasive blast‑cleaned steel to provide cathodic corrosion protection.
• 2nd coat: Dulux® Duremax® GPE @ 125-microns, a two‑pack epoxy build coat providing barrier protection against corrosion.
• 3rd coat: Dulux® Weathermax® HBR in Signal Red @ 100-microns. A high‑build, recoatable polyurethane coating with excellent gloss and colour retention.
• 4th coat: Dulux® Quantum® FX in Gold, a two‑pack acrylic polyurethane used in selected areas for fine detailing of the book spines, offering high durability and long‑term aesthetic performance.
• Topcoat: Dulux® Quantum® Clearcoat at 45-microns, a high‑gloss, crystal‑clear two‑pack acrylic polyurethane providing excellent weathering, chemical, and graffiti resistance.

Installation and Site Coordination

The completed 455kg sculpture was transported by flatbed truck and installed on pre prepared footings at Gasworks Arts Park. Lifting and placement were carried out using rated slings and a five tonne excavator, with careful attention paid to drainage and alignment.

The project’s on-site coordination was managed by Yellowstone Resource Group, with technical footing specifications by Jasper Dunphy of Panthom Engineering and mentoring and tender advice from sculptor Jonathan Leahey.

Contemplation Spot stands as a clear example of how public art is delivered through collaboration—bringing together artists, engineers, fabricators, coating specialists, and local government to create a durable, considered work for public use.

Images courtesy of Julia Brampton and Phill Calvert (Kitty Calvert).