During a recent Hepburn Shire Council meeting, Needham beat out three other short-listed artists for the honour.

His work will consist of a cluster of three freestanding, trapezoidal, cast concrete pillars. Needham will receive $30,000 to produce the permanent artwork. 

As part of council’s 2016-17 Public Art Program, an expression of interest was advertised nationally for an artist to conceive and construct a new public artwork in Stony Creek Reserve, Trentham.

Four artists were short listed to develop their concepts for a permanent public artwork. The other artists were Joanne Mott, Matt Harding/Tina Lee and James Voller.

During the assessment process, the public art panel, consisting of members of the community, looked at the quality of the artwork proposed; materiality and durability; safety and suitability and relevance to the Hepburn Shire.

In a report tabled at the recent Hepburn Shire Council meeting, it was stated Needham’s work was chosen because of the artist’s ability to deliver the project within budget and on time; the sculpture would weather into landscape colours; it was a highly experiential work interacting with interior of design as key; the public’s interaction was the most experiential; the artist’s confidence in design flexibility was more accessible; and the artwork design was highest regarded quality – simple, elegant, well developed concept. 

In the report to councillors, the council officer stated Needham’s art piece would be socially engaging with potential economic benefits to the local community through increased visitation to the site.