Scape introduces major installations in a destination-worthy public art series, inspiring connection, delivering education, celebrating cultural diversity and contributing to Kensington and Kingsford’s (KEKI) evolving identity as a vibrant town centre.
New Monumental is a public art series of works, commissioned by Scape, supported by Randwick City Council and curated by Vital Commons, bringing together three groundbreaking artists – Monica Rani Rudhar, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Reko Rennie – redefining monumental art.*
The artists offer unique approaches to reimagining monumentality today – foregrounding bold new visions for public art that reflect the diversity and complexity of our world and inviting collective inspiration, connection, and deeper cultural understanding.
Anchored by Scape’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and public engagement, the New Monumental series is a living cultural program designed to inspire, educate, and connect.
The first work in the series, Multi-Headed Reclining Figure (2025), a peaceful reclining figure by acclaimed Sri Lanka-Australian artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, is installed alongside a young frangipani tree at Scape Kingsford.
Ramesh’s vibrant reclining figure, cast in bronze, draws on his South Asian heritage to explore themes of cultural hybridity and plurality, challenging traditional representations of monumentality to embrace fluid identities and contemporary forms.
Next up, Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie’s Totemic (2025), is now installed in the revitalised Todman Square at Scape Kensington, contributing to the area’s evolution into a thriving cultural hotspot.
Totemic (2025) is a striking bronze sculpture and expansive ground plane installation that reimagines the idea of a traditional totem through a contemporary lens – blending ancestral symbols with his signature bold, urban style.
Reko Rennie’s Totemic (2025).
The final piece in the trilogy, Home Under My Feet and Bells in My Ears (2025), is hand crafted by Monica Rani Rudhar in clay before being cast in bronze, and will be installed at Scape Lachlan later in 2025.
Rani Rudhar’s striking site-specific work will draw on her Indian-Romanian heritage, transforming a small, cultural ‘momento’ to monumental scale. Transcending personal and collective histories, this glorious chandelier-like piece will hang above a rangoli-inspired design sandblasted into pavers below, together ushering prosperity and positive energy into the site, and fostering a sense of connection and inclusion for both visitors and the surrounding community.
“Randwick City Council is committed to supporting creativity in our community, celebrating local stories, and enhancing our
public spaces. We’re proud to support the New Monumental public art series in Kingsford and Kensington.” said Mayor of Randwick, Councillor Dylan Parker.
“We are thrilled to see Randwick City become a canvas for contemporary expression.” he added.
Known for their bold, contemporary aesthetics, all three artists – Reko Rennie, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Monica Rani Rudhar – are contributing to an evolving landscape of Australian culture by pushing boundaries and expanding collective narratives.
Commissioned by Scape, Australia’s leader in purpose-built student accommodation and community-first urban development, in partnership with curatorial practice Vital Commons, the New Monumental series redefines what monuments can and must be in the 21st century. With over $1 billion invested in transforming the KEKI precinct into a global benchmark for urban living, these public artworks are not just decorative-they’re integral to the cultural fabric of the area.
KEKI precinct is born from Randwick City Council’s K2K (Kensington to Kingsford) Planning Strategy, a new vision for the two centres that is based on sustainable growth to create vibrant, prosperous and attractive places. The provision of public art is a core component of this strategy, and the delivery of New Monumental by Scape demonstrates a bold beginning of contemporary and community driven placemaking in this area.
“At Scape, we believe place is more than buildings. It’s people, stories, and shared experiences. New Monumental brings that belief to life. These artworks invite everyone – students, neighbours and visitors into a cultural dialogue. They don’t just reflect the community; they elevate it. This is how we build places that truly belong to those who live in them,” said Anouk Darling, CEO, Scape
Curators and founders of Vital Commons, Dr. Josephine Skinner and Bethan Donnelly, describe the initiative as, “a platform for visionary artists who are redefining monumental art. This forward-looking series is transformative, supporting a new generation of artists shaping public discourse with works that foster connection and greater understanding.”
Each piece in the series echoes the project’s guiding theme: New Monumental – reimagining the vital role of art in common space through contemporary monuments that reflect the diversity and complexity of our world today.
As the precinct evolves, New Monumental reminds us: the future of public art is vital, inclusive, and for everyone.