School signatures return to Barrack Street Jetty

• Student signatures from 1999 reinterpreted into new public artwork 

• New online tool launched to help find your signature

• First of 10 public artworks unveiled for Elizabeth Quay 

Planning and Culture and the Arts Minister John Day has today unveiled the new Signature Ring public artwork at Barrack Street Jetty in front of past and present school students.

Mr Day said the artwork was a reinterpretation of the more than 200,000 signatures that were collected from school students across Western Australia in 1999 as part of the millennium celebrations.

"All of the signatures formerly at the base of the Bell Tower have been etched into copper plates creating a new and contemporary artwork that will be on display for years to come," he said.

"Local artists Matthew Ngui and Simon Gauntlett have created a remarkable sculpture that includes an incredible level of detail. 

"The Signature Ring will become a must see attraction for locals and visitors to the city.  I encourage everyone to take a fresh look at the revitalised Barrack Street Jetty."

A new online tool has also been created so the community can see how the signatures once looked, how they look now, and to help locate their signature on the sculpture.

"The online application makes it easy for anyone, anywhere in the world to see a copy of their original school tile and how it looks today," the Minister said.

The artwork features a ring-shaped design and has an interactive element that uses thousands of fibre optics to reflect an image from one end to the other.

Mr Day said works to revitalise Barrack Street Jetty were completed including a new decked event space and water feature in front of the Bell Tower.

"Barrack Street Jetty has always been considered an integral part of the vision of Elizabeth Quay," he said.

"More than $20 million has been invested to improve amenities, infrastructure and landscaping throughout the public areas to complement the waterfront precinct."

Barrack Street Jetty will host a public display of fast cars and motorbikes including Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull Racing RB7 Formula 1 car from December 9 to 12, ahead of the Perth Speed Fest on December 13.

Fact File

• The signatures were originally collected via the Sign In 2000 community project to support the opening of the Bell Tower

• The artwork is included in the $4 million public art program for Elizabeth Quay and is supported by a $150,000 Lotterywest grant to the Rotary Club of Perth

• To find your school tile and your signature, visit http://www.findyoursignature.com.au

• For more information, visit http://www.mra.wa.gov.au  

Minister's office - 6552 6200