Sydney’s Chinese community want answers after the City of Sydney have suggested removing a decaying tree sculpture that has become an icon of Chinatown.
The 1999 artwork known as Golden Water Mouth stands at the corner of Sussex Street and Hay Street, which is regarded as the unofficial entry point into Sydney’s historic Chinatown.
Sydney’s Chinese community are concerned after City of Sydney reportedly proposed removing the sculpture due to decay. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
Kevin Cheng, who co-founded the community group Soul of Chinatown, said he was not convinced everything had been done to try save the artwork.
“It’s ripping something out from the heart of Chinatown,” Mr Cheng said.
“It’s a really powerful work and symbol for us, us being Chinatown, but also the Chinese-Australian community and the broader Asian-Australian community.
Sydney’s Chinese community are concerned the tree may be removed without a replacement. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“We are concerned that, if it is to be removed, that nothing will be replaced or put in its place and that would be a huge loss … from a symbolism and spiritual point of view for our community.”
The artwork by the late artist Lin Li features the five natural elements in Chinese culture: fire, earth, water, gold and wood.
It features a 10-metre-high tree from Condobolin in the NSW central west where many Chinese miners travelled in the 19th century.
Mr Cheng said the community was concerned about the sculpture’s future. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)
The sculpture features feng shui elements including water that runs down the tree to its base before being circulated back up the tree.
George Wing Kee, who has worked in Chinatown since 1946 and used to run local tours, said the artist chose the tree because it was resilient to floods and fire that had hit the town.
“In that respect the tree represented not only the resilience and the connection that the Chinese people had with the town, it was a time where they reflected their passion for living in Australia,” Mr Wing Kee said.
Signage on the fencing set up by the council said there were structural integrity issues in the tree. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
‘May not be feasible’ for sculpture to remain
The City of Sydney has fenced off Golden Water Mouth with signage indicating there were structural problems with the timber.
“Despite regular maintenance the natural timber is cracking and degrading, as is expected, with evidence of some termite activity,” a spokesperson for City of Sydney said.
“Given the nature of the damage to the artwork it may not be feasible for the artwork to remain.“
The spokesperson said they were looking at partially retaining the sculpture.
City of Sydney staff are looking at partial retention of the sculpture. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“All options are being considered, including keeping the majority of the work in place,” the spokesperson said.
“If removal is required the community has contributed suggestions including preserving part of the work elsewhere or remembering it on site.”
‘Wonderful’ opportunity for new artwork to represent the next chapter
Mr Cheng says if Golden Water Mouth needs replacing it should have something honouring Lin Li’s original work
He wants to see signage installed so visitors can explore the story and the cultural importance of the original work “because a lot of people don’t know the history of what it’s about and it’s role and what it symbolises”, Mr Cheng said.
City of Sydney is investing in the revitalisation of Dixon Street in Chinatown. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
He said he would like to see any necessary replacement carry the same spirit as Golden Water Mouth.
“If there is removal there is a wonderful opportunity for the City of Sydney to commit to funding for a replacement,” Mr Cheng said.
“I think it would be the biggest travesty of all if there was just the standard City of Sydney benches put there, or a bike rack.
“It’s a really exciting time for Chinatown because the city is investing in the revitalisation of Dixon Street and this could be just be added to that.“
The City of Sydney said it was investing $44 million into the revitalisation of Haymarket and Chinatown.