The Mitchell Library's Vestibule has a stunning new contemporary glass sculpture created by the designer of the State Library's Nelson Meers Foundation Heritage Collection exhibition, Jon Hawley.
Private benefactor, the late Dr Bruce Reid, AM, funded the sculpture, the concept for which is based on the earliest depiction of the stars of the Southern Cross, a woodcut engraving of 1516 by Andrea Corsali. The sculpture enhances the great architectural and historical features of the vestibule of the Mitchell Library. Its design provides a twenty-first century interpretation of one of the great symbols of Australian identity while alluding to enduring associations of our history and culture. As such, it is appropriate that it is located in the Mitchell Library with its renowned holdings of Australian and Pacific historical collections. Heritage architects, Noel Bell, Ridley Smith & Partners assisted with the design process and the Heritage Council of NSW approved the project.