Art Pharmacy curated and sourced a photographic diptych artwork for the lobby of the Dexus 101 George Street, Parramatta currently home to the Department of Home Affairs.

This work was to instigate a moment of wonder as passersby and tenants alike strode through the security gates and across to the concierge desk. The work was also to appear visually cohesive with the sleek and minimal architectural features of the lobby space and the muted, monochromatic tones of the interior space.

For this project, Art Pharmacy defined the lobby space as a common meeting place for people, and so the team sought artwork that inspired a strong community feel and sense of belonging within the building.

After extensive sessions of consultation, the client decided on fine arts photographer, Tom Blachford, as their final artist. Working at the intersection of long exposure photography and the built environment, Blachford’s photographs transform predictable and known environments into surreal and dreamlike worlds.

Art Pharmacy suggested Tom Blachford’s ‘Aotearoa’ diptych to the client for the location situated behind the security desk of the lobby for its surrealist and abstract yet minimal quality.

Blachford’s ‘Aotearoa’ series draw from his trips to the South Island of New Zealand. Vibrant with saturation and dramatic shadows, these works invite the active imagination of the viewer. These works express Blachford’s discovery of New Zealand’s beauty with precocious eloquence for a Melbourne photographer, or indeed any human amongst the natural giants of the world.

The end result was a cinematic and dramatically lit photographic diptych for the upper floor lobby at Dexus 101 George Street. The work was subtle enough to complement the sleek, minimal interiors of the lobby space but striking enough to sweep up passersby and tenants in a moment of joy and wonder.