Propel

Located at Gladstone Airport, Donna Marcus’ work, Propel draws from Gladstone’s connection to the aluminium industry, a RAF Spitfire propeller and Lord Beaverbrook’s World War II ‘Saucepans to Spitfire’ campaign. This campaign called upon the donation of kitchenware for the production of aircraft.

Fabricated from 12mm grade AA601 cast aluminium, the 3.2m high sculpture was fully welded together, polished inside and out, and then covered in a star pattern of 7mm holes. When lit internally these star shaped perforations, based on the pattern commonly found on kitchen colanders, allow light to emit, transforming Propel into a glowing beacon.

Propel was supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland’s Art + Place former public art program, Gladstone Regional Council, Queensland Alumina Limited and Griffith University.