Artist Brief Commission of memorial artwork: Constable Hyde Memorial Garden

The City of Burnside is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced South Australian based

artists / artist teams to create a memorial artwork for Constable Hyde Memorial Garden.

Expressions of Interest will be open from Tuesday 4 February 2020 and close at 5pm on Friday 21

February 2020.

Submit EOIs via email to Procurement@burnside.sa.gov.au

BACKGROUND

The City of Burnside is one of Adelaide's oldest residential areas, and is well known for its tree lined

streets, period architecture and plentiful reserves and gardens within its 30 km² area.

Located in the South Eastern corner of Adelaide and just 10 minutes from the Central Business

District, the City of Burnside covers 28 suburbs and has a residential population of 42,000 people. It

offers a wide range of community facilities and a diverse mix of shopping and retail outlets, along

with many parks and reserves.

Constable Hyde Memorial Garden is a reserve in the City of Burnside which was named after

Constable William Hyde, who was killed nearby in the line of duty in 1909. The reserve has recently

been redeveloped to create a playground and large lawn area at the southern end, and a plaza area

with trees, paving and lawn areas at the northern end, along with retaining an existing memorial

tree and plaque.

The City of Burnside is seeking expressions of interest from artists to develop a memorial artwork to

commemorate and acknowledge Constable Hyde. This artwork will be placed in the northern plaza

area, near the memorial tree which was planted in 1981.

The Burnside community, the SA Police Historical Society and the Burnside Historical Society have

been consulted throughout the redevelopment project, including in providing design suggestions

and increasing historical knowledge of Constable Hyde.

CONSTABLE WILLIAM HYDE

Constable William Hyde was a police officer based at the Marryatville Police Station. On a hot

January night in 1909 he attempted to apprehend three men who he had suspicions were going to

rob the tramways office. A chase ensued, which ended when the weapon-less Constable Hyde was

shot by one of the men. All three men fled and were never caught. Despite prompt assistance from

local residents, Constable Hyde died a few days later in hospital from his injuries. He was a popular

member of the community and a keen sportsman, attested to by the 12,000 – 15,000 people who

lined the streets for his funeral.

The State Government opened Constable Hyde Memorial Garden in 1981, across the road from the

site of the shooting. After maintaining the site since the 1980s, the City of Burnside purchased the

land in 2017 and redeveloped it into a more user-friendly space which has proven popular with the

community. Honouring Constable Hyde and sharing his story with the community is an important

part of the redevelopment project.

Attachment A contains information about Constable Hyde, including newspaper articles from the

time of his death.

SCOPE / THE ARTWORK

The City of Burnside has been motivated to commission a memorial artwork to commemorate

Constable William Hyde, and to encourage the community to learn more about his life. Despite his

contribution to society, it appears that few people today are aware of the person that the park was

named after. In addition, the City of Burnside has very little public art, and believes this to be a good

opportunity to improve this.

It is intended that the artwork take the form of a commemorative sculpture, however the medium

and style is flexible. The artwork could be a standalone sculptural work or a functional sculptural

piece, i.e. seating. The City of Burnside is open to receiving feedback from artists about different

ways to pursue the goal of a memorial artwork in keeping with the location and the need to

commemorate Constable William Hyde.

The artwork must be suitable for the surrounding park, taking into account size, scale, colour,

materials and design.

It is intended that the artwork be a permanent sculpture and so should be constructed to suit a long

lifespan of many years, with durable materials. It should consider vandalism and be vandal resistant

and easy to maintain.

Due to the park’s location near an arterial road, the artwork must not have flashing lights that may

distract motorists. However, a small amount of lighting (e.g. up-lighting) may be possible if the artist

desires.

The artwork must also be safe for members of the public, who range from young children to older

residents to those with mobility aids or in wheelchairs.

The artist is required to develop the artwork in a safe manner which meets engineering

requirements in terms of installation. The engineering installation instructions are to be organised by

the artist. The artist will work closely with the project manager from the City of Burnside when

discussing installation and ensuring safety of members of the public.

STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

Ongoing communication is required with the City of Burnside project manager throughout the

design, development and installation stages.

Extensive community consultation was conducted in 2017 on the future of the park, and the

completed space reflects this. The artist is not required to undertake consultation with the

community. However, if they would like to speak to the president of the SA Police Historical Society

or other key members involved with the project, the project manager can arrange this.

SITE

The completed artwork is to be installed at Constable Hyde Memorial Garden, 250 Kensington Road,

Leabrook.

Within the newly redeveloped park a space has been left for the artwork in the plaza area, as shown

on the map below. The available space measures approximately 2.5m x 8m, however the artwork is

not required to fill the space. The surface is currently permeable pavers, however a concrete slab

can be installed prior to the artwork’s installation if required.

The site attracts a large number of people; both those passing through, and those who come to the

park specifically to enjoy the space. Families and children spend time at the playground; older

residents walk through the park and sit and relax there; staff from neighbouring businesses enjoy

their lunchbreaks in the park; and visitors to the neighbouring health centre pass through the space.

Room must be allowed so that people can safely walk or use a wheelchair / walking frame past the

artwork on the paved section.

There are a number of significant trees in the reserve, so care will need to be taken to ensure that no

damage occurs to any of these or to the surrounding permeable paving, particularly if a crane or

heavy vehicles are required to install the artwork.

During installation of the artwork the reserve will be closed to members of the public.

Northern plaza end

Location map

BUDGET

For the concept design stage, up to three artists/artist teams will each be paid $900 plus GST to

develop the concept design.

One successful artist/artist team will then be selected, and they will be granted $30,000 to develop

the memorial artwork*. The artist must incorporate all elements involved with the artwork creation

into this budget, including:

Materials

Engineering

Fabrication

Installation (including crane hire if required)

Lighting & installation of electrical wiring (if required)

Artist’s fee

The City of Burnside will provide:

In-kind support in laying a concrete slab to engineer requirements for the artwork to sit

upon

Fabrication & installation of artist acknowledgment plaque.

*The development of the artwork will be subject to Council being successful in applying for a grant

and also approving its budget for 2020/21. Decisions on both funding sources will occur in June 2020.

The following options exist:

External grant application is approved / Council budget is approved: artist will be granted

$30,000 for the artwork and will commence in 2020/21.

External grant application is not approved / Council budget is approved: artist will be granted

$15,000 for the artwork. This may require the proposed artwork to be redesigned.

External grant application is not approved / Council budget is not approved: project will be

put on hold until funding can be secured in future years.

The project manager will be in regular contact with the artist to discuss the status of the budget.

MANAGEMENT

The City of Burnside has a Project Manager who has overseen the redevelopment of the park. This

Project Manager will manage the artwork project, and will be the key point of contact for all artist

enquiries. The City of Burnside Project Manager will liaise with other internal staff, members of the

public, the SA Police Historical Society and the Burnside Historical Society. The Project Manager is

able to arrange meetings between the artist and required stakeholders as required.

COMMISSIONING PROCESS

Stage 1 – Expressions of Interest

The Artist Brief will be distributed directly to artists on the Pepper Street Arts Centre database and

through Arts SA, and will also be promoted in the Eastern Courier newspaper. Any South Australian-

based artist is able to apply for the project. Those with a knowledge of the City of Burnside area will

be viewed favourably, however this is not essential.

Artists with limited experience who would like the opportunity and challenge to work on a project of

this scale and nature would be strongly urged to team up with other more experienced artists who

have the demonstrated experience working in this space to be mentored through the process in

order for success.

Interested artists are required to submit the following by no later than 21 February 2020:

Resume, including names and contact details of two professional referees

Cover letter indicating availability to meet the project timeframes

Up to 10 images of relevant previous work (including a written description of images

indicating materials, dimensions, location, indicative budget, commissioner and

collaborative partners as relevant)

Current insurance and relevant construction certificates / qualification details.

The selection panel will assess all applications based on the following guided criteria:

Experience

o Previous experience in designing and constructing a large sculpture / artwork

o High quality and robust artistic integrity

o Understanding of cultural and historical figure Constable William Hyde

Cost

o Experience in developing artworks to similar budget

Other criteria

o South Australian based artist/artist team

o Provides required documents as listed above.

Please note that concept designs are not required at this stage.

Expressions of interest will be assessed by the selection panel. All decisions are at the discretion of

the Council.

Stage 2 – Concept Design

Up to three artists will be short-listed and will be required to develop a concept design proposal,

which should include:

A written concept paper explaining the concept and artistic approach;

Drawings, sketches, digital representation, elevations, etc. as necessary to fully convey the

concept. This work is to be presented in a professional and artistic manner;

A site plan showing the location of the proposed artwork / elements;

Proposed budget for the design development stage and an indicative project implementation budget, including contingencies, artist fees, engineering advice, delivery and installation expenditure;

Information relating to durability, ongoing maintenance and cleaning requirements, environmental impact

Risk assessment which considers public safety;

Proposed timeline showing key milestones.

The artists may be requested to present their concept design in person to the selection panel and

answer any queries.

The design submitted remains the intellectual property of the artist.

The selection panel will assess all applications based on the following:

Cost

o Value for money

o Demonstrated understanding that $30k includes materials, engineering, fabrication,

installation, artist fee

Environmental

o Made of materials which consider durability / maintenance / environmental impact

Aesthetic appeal

o Suitable scale, materials, colours for space

o Aesthetically pleasing

o Complementary to the reserve

Other criteria

o Provision of concept paper, drawings, site plan, risk assessment, timeline showing milestones

o Commemorates Constable William Hyde appropriately and helps community learn

more about his life

o Commemorative sculpture (can be sculpture or functional)

o Size – 2.5m x 8m maximum

o Suitable materials – durable, vandal resistant, easy to maintain

o Permanent – long lifespan

o No flashing lights or distractions for motorists

o Safe & inclusive for members of public, ranging from young children to older

residents with mobility aids / wheelchairs

o Clear access for pedestrians

The evaluation criteria will be used as a guide to select one artist/artist team to develop the final memorial artwork. All decisions are at the discretion of the Council.

Stage 3 – Commissioning, fabrication and installation

The successful artist will create the artwork from July to December 2020, unless otherwise

negotiated with the City of Burnside.

TIMELINE

The following timeframes may be adjusted. Artists will be notified if this occurs.

Event Date

Expressions of interest open 4 February 2020

Expressions of interest close 5pm, 21 February 2020

Stage 1 evaluation by selection panel Late February 2020

Up to 3 shortlisted artists advised of progression to Stage 2 Concept Design

28 February 2020

Artists to develop concept design proposals 2 – 27 March 2020

Site visit for artists 2 – 6 March 2020

Stage 2 evaluation of concept design. Presentation by artists TBC

30 March – 3 Apr 2020

Final artist appointed April 2020

Application to Arts SA Public Art and Design Commission for funding

April – June 2020

Council budget approved June 2020

Artist commences work July 2020

Artist completes and installs work December 2020 (can be negotiated)

12 month defects liability period December 2021

FURTHER INFORMATION

For background on Constable William Hyde, please read Attachment A.

For further information, please contact the Procurement Team:

Ph. 8366 4200

E. Procurement@burnside.sa.gov.au

EOIs are to be emailed to Procurement@burnside.sa.gov.au by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2020.