British-Indian sculptor Bharti Kher has been commissioned to create a monumental sculpture titled 'Tree of Life' for the entrance of Powerhouse Parramatta, a major new cultural center opening later this year in Parramatta, west of Sydney, Australia. The work, made of four stacked bronze and clay heads, is part of Kher's ongoing 'Intermediaries' series, which began in 2016 after she found a collection of broken clay figurines in her Delhi studio. The commission was reported by Art Asia Pacific, and Kher previously installed related public works in Central Park and at Harvard Business School.
This commission matters because it marks a significant public art investment for Powerhouse Parramatta, which is set to become the flagship site of the Powerhouse consortium of museums owned by the New South Wales government. The new cultural hub, scheduled to open in late 2026, will feature galleries, a theater, artist studios, and a rooftop garden, positioning itself as a modern-day cultural center for diverse audiences. Kher's work, addressing themes of diaspora and ancestral complexity, underscores the institution's commitment to showcasing internationally renowned contemporary artists.