Urban Art Projects (UAP) is an Australian company that works with artists, architects, designers, developers, curators, institutions and art commissioners to realize public art and architectural design elements.[1][2][3]
History
The company was founded in 1993 in Brisbane, Australia by brothers Matthew and Daniel Tobin.[4][5] Its initial name was Urban Artists.[5] The Tobin brothers first purchased a small welding and metal fabrication company that worked on marine and construction projects.[6] Over time, they invested the profits of this first company into the construction of a foundry that could be used for art projects.[7] One of UAP's first clients was the Australian Waanyi multi-media artist Judy Watson.[8][7]
The company has its main office and studios in Brisbane, and a satellite studio in Shanghai.[9]
In 2019, UAP acquired New York-based foundry, Polich Tallix.[5][10] The same year, UAP began using a large industrial robot for selected projects at its Brisbane studio.[11]
Notable projects
Hank Willis Thomas' oversized arm sculpture Unity at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, cast at UAP's Polich Tallix foundry.[5]
Tow Row, a bronze fishing net sculpture in front of the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art by Judy Watson.[8]
Gilded Cage and Arch, part of Ai Weiwei's 2017 project Good Fences make Good Neighbors.[12][13]
Kraken a giant 2017 octopus sculpture for a Shanghai playground. By Florentijn Hofman.[7]
Messengers of Brisbane, a series of oversized finch sculptures installed around Brisbane. By the artist Florentijn Hofman.[15]
NOW, a sculpture installed on the rooftop Courthouse of the Appellate Division, First Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. By the artist Shahzia Sikander.[16]
City of Parramatta public art sculptures for artists Reko Rennie and Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro.[17][18]
Lindy Lee's Ouroboros an immersive public art commission for the National Gallery of Australia[19]