A Way of Seeing

It may not be surprising to learn that Catherine Truman, the artist behind A Way of Seeing, began her career as a jeweller. Truman’s work not only cuts across a wide variety of mediums, but also across the disciplines of art and science. During a residency in the Microscopy suite at South Australia’s Flinders University, Truman learned that there is much of the living world that remains invisible to humans: 

‘There are profound gaps in our knowledge based on what we can and cannot see.’ 

Amid the busy pace of the North Terrace precinct and Adelaide’s city centre, A Way of Seeing reminds audiences of the importance and beauty of taking a moment to look up.

In this work, seven patinated bronze leaves are pinned like brooches to the North Terrace façade of the David Jones building. The 160-kilogram sculptures were created in the Gray Street Workshop, which Truman co-founded in 1985 as a collective studio that provides facilities and development opportunities for artists in the field of jewellery and object-making.

Truman is also the artist behind another bronze work in this precinct, Slate Pool Walkway, which is located behind the Art Gallery of South Australia. The casting mould for both of these works was developed by Helen Printer.

When Tiffany & Co opened in Adelaide in 2014, the building was remodeled and the façade was altered. Three of the bronze leaves were removed to make way for the shop’s entrance.