Golden Water Mouth

The sculpture comprises the trunk of a yellow-box eucalyptus tree partly covered with 23-carat gold leaf applied over fibreglass. It is mounted on a terra-cotta tile base set into the pavement.

The sculpture stands 10.7 metres high and is located on the corner of Hay & Sussex Street in Haymarket, the symbolic entry point to Chinatown. Water flows from golden sculpture to symbolise moneyand life.
The artwork has used Chinese Feng Shui principles mixed with Australian native materials including the yellow box tree, gold, earth and water. Located at the symbolic entry to the village of Chinatown, a wooden pagoda would traditionally be built at this site to protect the rivers and ensure wealth to the village.
Said to represent positive energy and good fortune, the sculpture incorporates the Shui Kou elements – or five natural elements – of wood, water, earth, fire and gold to harmonise the natural environment with the urban environment. The use of gold leaf also provides a historical link to the early Chinese settlers in the gold fields that surrounded the site of the tree’s original location in Condobolin, NSW
The tree is said to encourage harmony and serenity in this vibrant location.

ARTIST
Lin Li was born in China in 1960 and studied sculpture in Luxiun College of Fine Arts from 1982-1987. She arrived in Australia in 1990 and studied at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales from 1993-1995, completing a Master in Sculpture.