Lin Li's Golden Water Mouth sculpture has been in Chinatown since 1999.
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- Sydney's Chinese community are concerned an iconic artwork at Chinatown's unofficial entry will be removed and not replaced.
- The Golden Water Mouth sculpture has been fenced off by City of Sydney citing structural integrity issues with the 10-metre-high tree.
- 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.
The Golden Water Mouth sculpture, a significant cultural landmark in Sydney's Chinatown, faces potential removal due to structural concerns. Installed in 1999 by artist Lin Li, the sculpture has become an iconic symbol at the unofficial entry point to Chinatown, located at the corner of Sussex Street and Hay Street.
Recently, the City of Sydney fenced off the artwork, citing issues with the structural integrity of the 10-metre-high tree that forms part of the sculpture. This decision has sparked concern among Sydney's Chinese community, who fear the loss of this cultural emblem without any plans for its replacement.
A spokesperson for the City of Sydney acknowledged the structural challenges, stating that while complete removal might be necessary, options for partial retention are being explored. The community is seeking clarity and assurance that the cultural significance of the sculpture will be preserved, either through restoration or replacement.
The situation underscores the broader challenges of maintaining public art installations that hold deep cultural and historical significance. As discussions continue, the future of the Golden Water Mouth remains uncertain, with community members advocating for solutions that honor the artwork's legacy.
