Project
Figtree
Site
Figtree
Location
Sydney, Australia
Artist
Jade Oakley
Art Producer
Public Artworks
Developer
Mirvac Residential
Casambi Commission Partner
Afterglow Controls
Photography
Quentin Jones
Inspired by Sydney’s iconic Port Jackson Fig trees, Figtree combines art, craftsmanship, and light to create a public installation that evolves from day to night. With Casambi wireless lighting control, every luminaire was individually tuned to reveal the sculpture exactly as the artist envisioned.
Located within Sydney Olympic Park, Figtree is a public artwork by Australian artist Jade Oakley, inspired by the Port Jackson Fig trees that have long been part of Sydney’s landscape. Hand-forged copper ribbons rise and twist into an overhead arbour, while hand-painted petals move gently with the breeze, creating a sculpture that feels closely connected to the natural environment around it.
As Jade Oakley describes it, Figtree draws from the distinctive form of the Port Jackson Fig, with textured copper that echoes the tree’s bark and petals that represent the figs hidden within its branches. Every detail was carefully crafted to capture the character of one of Sydney’s most iconic native trees.
Lighting was considered as part of the artwork from the very beginning. Rather than simply illuminating the sculpture, it was carefully designed to reveal the texture of the copper, the depth of the painted petals, and the craftsmanship behind every element. As daylight fades, different surfaces catch the light in different ways, allowing the artwork to be experienced from a new perspective after dark.
Because every part of the sculpture responds differently to light, flexibility was essential. Casambi wireless lighting control allowed each luminaire to be adjusted independently, making it possible to fine-tune the lighting around individual petals and copper forms. Working closely with the artist, the lighting could be refined until it reflected the intended balance between light, shadow, and material.
The lighting also operates independently from the building’s general lighting controls, giving the artwork its own dedicated system without adding unnecessary complexity. If adjustments are needed in the future, they can be made easily without altering the installation itself.
The lighting isn’t there to compete with the artwork. It quietly brings out the details that make the sculpture unique, from the hand-textured copper to the gentle movement of the petals. Together, the artwork and lighting create an experience that changes naturally from day to night, revealing something a little different each time people pass by.
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