The Bowery, 2021

Watson Microforest, Canberra

Mild steel, garden prunings, 150 × 350 × 70 cm

The Bowery is an interactive play sculpturer inspired by the remarkable weaving practices of Australia’s bower birds. Designed as a safe and imaginative retreat for children, the gently curving tunnel-like structure creates a nurturing space for play, exploration and quiet reflection. Small openings provide glimpses of the surrounding forest and sky, encouraging curiosity and connection with the natural environment. Constructed from mild steel and woven with garden prunings from the neighbourhood, The Bowery is designed to evolve over time as climbing plants establish a living canopy. As a permanent feature of the Watson Microforest , it combines nature play and sustainability and engaged the community to participate in the making of it.

Two smiling people, a female artists with long blonde hair and a man with curly hair and a beard, Costa Georgiadis, are looking out off a large artwork made of intertwined branches. They are outdoors in a park-like setting with trees.
Two smiling people, a female artists with long blonde hair and a man with curly hair and a beard, Costa Georgiadis, are looking out off a large artwork made of intertwined branches. They are outdoors in a park-like setting with trees.
Sketch of a fibre sculpture art commission entitled 'The Bowery'. Intertwined sticks build a tunnel-like structure with greenery growing on the sides and portholes to look out off.
Sketch of a fibre sculpture art commission entitled 'The Bowery'. Intertwined sticks build a tunnel-like structure with greenery growing on the sides and portholes to look out off.
A woven tunnel-like structure entitled 'The Bowery' made of twigs and branches is placed in a park with green grass, trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.
A woven tunnel-like structure entitled 'The Bowery' made of twigs and branches is placed in a park with green grass, trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.
Outdoor workspace with pallets, tools, and materials as a maquette for the fibre sculpture 'The Bowery', set on a patio next to a house with a green fence and trees.
Outdoor workspace with pallets, tools, and materials as a maquette for the fibre sculpture 'The Bowery', set on a patio next to a house with a green fence and trees.
Woman working on a a sculpture project outdoors, using tools and wearing gloves, bending mild steel into shape, with wooden stairs and garden tools around her.
Woman working on a a sculpture project outdoors, using tools and wearing gloves, bending mild steel into shape, with wooden stairs and garden tools around her.
Person welding a metal frame in a workshop, wearing a blue welding helmet, gloves, plaid shirt, and jeans, with sparks flying from the welding process.
Close-up of a metal coil spring, one of the loops of the fibre sculpture frame of 'The Bowery', with a blurred background that includes pink, yellow, and orange objects.
A person wearing a protective welding mask, gloves, and a blue jacket, welding metal outdoors with sparks flying.
A person wearing combat boots and dark pants working on underground utility cables with a metal trench box and orange safety barrier at a construction site.
Bundles of pruned tree branches lined up on a surface covered with white and yellow cloths outdoors, near a brick patio and garden hose reel.
Bundles of pruned tree branches lined up on a surface covered with white and yellow cloths outdoors, near a brick patio and garden hose reel.
A wooden structure made of intertwined branches, surrounded by bright orange construction fencing, in a grassy outdoor area with a pile of dirt and a sidewalk in the background.
A wooden structure made of intertwined branches, surrounded by bright orange construction fencing, in a grassy outdoor area with a pile of dirt and a sidewalk in the background.
A woman wearing sunglasses, a headscarf, and gloves is peeking out between intertwined branches of a tree or shrub, working on a large fibre sculpture.
Person kneeling in a garden bed, working under a large woven arch made of intertwined branches and twigs. The person is wearing glasses, a black jacket, and beige pants, and is reaching up with one hand pulling sticks through while looking upwards.
A boy with a black jacket and hood, smiling and holding onto the edge of a large, woven stick structure. Behind him is a woman with a scarf and beanie, smiling, standing among trees and outdoors.
A boy with a black jacket and hood, smiling and holding onto the edge of a large, woven stick structure. Behind him is a woman with a scarf and beanie, smiling, standing among trees and outdoors.
Close-up of a nest made from twigs, sticks, and grass on the ground outdoors.
A structure made of branches and twigs entwined with green leaves shaping a heart.
A large bird's nest inspired by a bower bird made of intertwined twigs and branches is situated on the ground in a park with trees, grass, and residential houses in the background.
A large bird's nest inspired by a bower bird made of intertwined twigs and branches is situated on the ground in a park with trees, grass, and residential houses in the background.
Three people sitting inside a large, circular sculpture made of intertwined sticks or branches in an outdoor park with trees and houses in the background.
Three people sitting inside a large, circular sculpture made of intertwined sticks or branches in an outdoor park with trees and houses in the background.