Alumni mural program: Lisa Sammut

Lisa Sammut's Waiting room embodies the curiosity and sense of possibility of the cosmos, echoing the spheres and stars, constellations and planetary bodies that make up the night sky. This public mural was in the lift foyer of Level 3, UNSW Main Library.

When:
December 2019 - December 2023
 

Where:
Main Library, Level 3 lift foyer

With an interest in celestial architecture, Sammut sought to create a space where visitors experienced time, considered the mysteries of the universe and contemplated their next action.

Sammut used a subdued colour palette and found images, reminiscent of astronomical objects and phenomena, to depict forms and shapes in various states of change. Seemingly oscillating in space, these forms were imbued with a sense of energy on the precipice of movement.

A recent graduate of UNSW, Sammut has exhibited widely and undertaken several large-scale projects including HIGH LOOM, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney (2019) and a monumental echo, Firstdraft, Sydney (2018). Sammut has been recognised for her artistic talent in several prizes including the Churchie Emerging Art Prize, receiving the Sam Whiteley Memorial Commendation in 2016 and in 2018 was a finalist in the John Fries Award, UNSW Galleries.

Accessibility: UNSW Main Library is wheelchair accessible. A large-text artwork label, audio-described guide, and a braille guide are available next to the mural on Level 3.

Video

Image gallery

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer south wall 1

Lisa Summut painting mural on south wall near first lift of lift foyer

Alumni Mural Program - Lisa Sammut painting 'Waiting room' on UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer south wall 1

An abstract mural comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer north wall 1

A detail view of an abstract mural comprised of curving lines and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room' detail 1

A detail view of an abstract mural comprised of black lines and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room' detail 2

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer south wall 2

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer north wall 2

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer south wall 3

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Alumni Mural Program Installation - Lisa Sammut, 'Waiting room', UNSW Library, Level 3 lift foyer south wall 4

An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals
Lisa Summut painting mural on south wall near first lift of lift foyer
An abstract mural comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals
A detail view of an abstract mural comprised of curving lines and textured wall decals
A detail view of an abstract mural comprised of black lines and textured wall decals
An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals
An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals
An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals
An abstract mural surrounding elevator lifts comprised of curving shapes, pale shades of purple, cream, blue, and textured wall decals

Audio guide

Emily Morandini audio-describes the mural Waiting Room by Lisa Sammut. The approximate run time is 2.5 minutes.

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    Transcript of audio description of mural

    Lisa Sammut's Waiting room embodies the curiosity and sense of possibility of the cosmos, echoing the spheres and stars, constellations and planetary bodies that make up the night sky. With an interest in celestial architecture, Sammut sought to create a space where visitors can experience time, consider the mysteries of the universe, and contemplate their next action.

    Sammut has used a subdued colour palette and found images reminiscent of astronomical objects and phenomena to depict forms and shapes in various states of change. Seemingly oscillating in space, these forms are imbued with a sense of energy on the precipice of movement.

    A recent graduate of UNSW, Sammut has exhibited widely and undertaken several large-scale projects. Sammut has been recognised for her artistic talent in several prizes including the 2016 Churchie Emerging Art Prize, the Sam Whiteley Memorial Commendation in 2016, and was a finalist in the John Fries Award in 2018.

    Waiting Room is a mural painted on opposing north and south walls of the Level 3 lift foyer area.

    The walls display a cream-coloured background, with painted dark-grey outlines of voluminous patterns, and playful intersecting lines. Some patterns emerge from the floor and rise upwards, and other lines and shapes appear to hang down from the ceiling like stalactites.

    There are large triangular shapes with rounded sides, curving orbital-like lines, wavey lines, and circles of various sizes scattered throughout.

    Some shapes are painted in a soft petal pink, lilac purple, or dark smoky grey, while others remain as an outline against the milky cream wall.

    Interspersed throughout the mural are patches of printed decals depicting the distinctive texture and colours of nubbly rocks such as granite, limestone, and serpentine