Studio Visit Update: Drawing Breath Takes Shape
As anticipation builds for the installation of Drawing Breath, the newest addition commissioned for the Forest Sculpture Gallery at the National Arboretum Canberra, members of the Forest Sculpture Gallery Committee, representatives of the Arboretum and the Chair of the Friends, were recently invited to a behind-the-scenes studio visit with artist Hannah Quinlivan.
Held at Quinlivan’s studio, the visit offered attendees a rare and intimate look at the making of the 15-metre-wide sculptural installation. The visit was a chance to witness the intricate craftsmanship and conceptual depth that define Quinlivan’s work.
A Glimpse into the Artist’s Process
During the visit, attendees were able to view the individual sculptural elements up close, gaining a deeper appreciation for the hand-shaped aluminium forms that will soon float above the Ginkgo Dam. Quinlivan generously demonstrated her process which seemed like an artistic performance in and of itself, a dance between her body movements along with tools to transform the flat piece of metal into one of the sculpture’s signature organic curves. This hands-on demonstration highlighted the physicality and precision involved in shaping each component of the work.
The sculpture’s design - evoking contour lines, cellular structures, and the rhythms of breath and photosynthesis - was brought to life through Quinlivan’s explanation and the tactile experience of the materials.
Installation Progress
All sculptural components of Drawing Breath are now complete. Engineers are currently finalising the best method for installing the work in the dam, ensuring both stability and visual impact.
About Drawing Breath
Commissioned to mark the National Arboretum Canberra’s 10th anniversary, Drawing Breath is a powerful reflection on transformation, resilience, and regeneration. Inspired by Quinlivan’s personal journey and the Arboretum’s own rebirth after the 2003 bushfires, the sculpture invites visitors to contemplate cycles of life, death, and renewal.
The work will be installed in the Ginkgo Dam, where its floating forms will create a striking visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The sculpture will be enhanced during different lighting stages, especially as it reflects off the dam’s surface at sunset and glows under the moonlight. At 15 metres long and 5 metres high, it will serve as a bold and contemplative welcome to the Arboretum.
To learn more about the commission and the story behind Drawing Breath, read our original announcement article here.