The best thing about public art is that it's (usually) free to experience.
And it's a good thing that Lindy Lee's epic new sculpture, Ouroboros (or The Big O, as we like to call it) is out in a public place, right outside the National Gallery of Australia, and accessible by anyone day and night.
All the better that it - she? - photographs beautifully from pretty much any angle, mirroring the weather by day and shining like a starry orb by night, reflection bouncing off the water at any given time.
Bets are on for when the first wedding pics are taken there; another piece in the gallery Sculpture Garden, Clement Meadmore's 1970 work Virginia, known by most as The Knot, is one of Canberra's most popular wedding backdrops, for obvious reasons.
Lee herself has indicated that she'd like to know when the first wedding happens. A night-time shot, with the floating galaxy of stars that pop out thanks to the clever lighting inside the shiny metal structure, would be beyond romantic, and you wouldn't need much setting up. The thing lights itself!
Meanwhile, if you've made any kind of pilgrimage to see the work, a squiz and a pic are all you'll have to take away with you at this stage. The gallery's shop is not currently carrying any merch related to what will surely become a landmark, as recognisable as the Skywhale, which has long adorned keyrings, pins, t-shirts and the like as a representation of Canberra.
Wouldn't you love a miniature silver Ouroboros for your mantelpiece, or a keyring?
Actually, wait, there is some merch available - Xiaolong, a limited edition collection of jewellery inspired by Abundance, a small solid gold version of Ouroboros that's currently on display in an exhibition of Lee's works inside the gallery.
Lee herself has collaborated with Pallion, a precious metal company, on the hand-crafted collection of 18 karat gold and jade jewellery, and prices start from $7500 and run up to $15,000 - for that special person in your life?
