PRESENTATION - Jade Oakley x CR - Noosa Concept Final 24-4-25_Optimized · EXE25/0029

FABRICATION
METHODOLOGY

The fabrication of Crossing The Bar is a carefully balanced collaboration between artist Jade     Each boat will be constructed as a three-part assembly for ease of transport, installation, and
Oakley and the fabrication team at Parts Department, combining hand-crafted artistry with         long-term performance: the boat form, an angled concrete plinth, and in-ground footings.
precision digital technologies.
                                                                                                  The supporting plinths—cast at three different angles—will elevate the flat-bottomed boats
The process begins with the artist sculpting small-scale boat maquettes in clay, capturing        in dynamic orientations that evoke the moment of “crossing the bar.” Footings will be
expressive surface details inspired by sea-worn shells and eroded rock. These tactile, organic    poured on-site using pre-fabricated reinforcement cages manufactured in-house to suit each
forms are then 3D scanned to create editable digital models, which are further refined in CAD     location.
through close collaboration between the artist and Parts Department.
                                                                                                  Following de-moulding, every sculpture will undergo a detailed finishing process to ensure all
The final boat forms will be CNC-cut from polyurethane foam, ensuring precision and               surfaces are smooth, safe for public interaction, and visually aligned with the artist’s vision.
consistency, before being once again refined by the artist’s hand. This hybrid approach           Surfaces will be sealed with a penetrative, dry-look anti-graffiti coating to protect against UV
ensures that the visual language of the original clay forms is retained, while also meeting the   exposure, weathering, and vandalism.
structural and technical requirements for durable public art.
                                                                                                  All materials and methods have been selected to ensure structural integrity, low maintenance,
Each boat mould will be a bespoke, two-part split-case system made from fibreglass and            and a minimum lifespan of 10 years in an outdoor environment. The sculptures are designed
aluminium, designed and fabricated at the Parts Department workshop in Brisbane. The              to comply with all relevant Australian Standards and will meet or exceed all site-specific
casting process will take place in Toowoomba, where a high-strength 50 MPa precast                requirements.
concrete mix will be used.

During casting, ochre pigments will be added to the concrete to create an organic gradation
of tone, while oyster shells sourced from the Noosa Marina and local stone aggregates will be
hand-placed into the moulds to produce a distinctive, place-based texture. These embedded
elements will be exposed post-casting through polishing and finishing, creating a smooth,
tactile surface with visual depth and meaning.




Noosa Council CityDeal Public Art Initiative | April 2025                                                                                                            Jade Oakley x Creative Road   20