New light installation in Randwick promotes night-time safety

A permanent artwork by multidisciplinary artist and senior lecturer Rochelle Haley brings the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct its second major art project in a new Laneway Art Program commissioned by the Precinct. 

Funded by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, a contribution of $30 million over the span of two years has instilled hope in the community to keep everyone safe in our local areas, especially women, girls and gender-diverse people. 

With the intention of improving night-time safety and connectivity in the precinct, site specific light installation Lunar Sway acts as a pathway to promote safety, inclusivity and capture a feeling of community. 

The Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct is a 24-hour precinct, home to four hospitals and a prestigious university. In a prospering community of health care workers that stay till late,  nearly 80% of front line staff are women who often walk through the campus streets after dark. 

To enhance the safety and comfortability of walking in the late hours of the night, the art installation acts as a guide to better their experience walking across the neighbouring campuses. This was inspired by the feedback provided by health workers to better understand the area, their needs for safety and how to improve the overall experience on their journey home. Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe as they walk, cycle and catch public transport to and from work”. 

Minister for Health Ryan Park expressed his support in keeping our front line workers safe at all times:“Our health workers are critical to keeping the community safe and well, so they deserve to feel safe as they travel to and from the hospital at night.”

Influenced by lunar cycles and the colours that shine through the sunrise and sunset, the radiant glow illuminates a pathway through the campus that directs people to public transport. This aims to enhance the experience of feeling safe and protected in the illuminating walkway for our frontline heroes. Lunar Sway leads with the intention to reinvent humans’ relationship to the night sky and one another, despite different viewpoints and circumstances.

“Spaces we use to transition into and out of work modes are a chance to reset our focus, a moment to take a breath to ground ourselves, and remind us of our vital and unique connection to the universe and each other,” artist Rochelle Haley said.

Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves into the art display, and follow the illuminated installation that leads to local area attractions such as the Newmarket dining Precinct on Baker Street and Randwick Ritz Cinema and cafés on St Paul’s Street. 

Lunar Sway by Rochelle Haley
Locations: Off Avoca Street Randwick (opposite St Paul’s Street) and Francis Martin Drive From Sunset daily