A contemporary sculpture for the Lobby space of One Middle Road, Chadstone, “Foundation (monument)”, is a dynamic light work which creates a unique sense of place whilst enhancing the lobby area of the landmark entrance to Chadstone Shopping Centre.

The commissioned sculpture considers the interior aesthetics, materiality and finishings palette of the lobby space whilst remaining true to the artist’s practice. It directly responds to the reeded glass integrated in the pivot doors, the spotted gum timber battens along the walkway walls and ceiling, and the granite skirting of the hallway. “Foundation (monument)” reinterprets these interior finishes and echoes the material textures and tones in its presentation.

Constructed from three large panels, skewed and slanted to create an asymmetrical ‘totemic’ sculpture, its design incorporates layered lines of textured clear acrylic which mimic traditional leadlight decorative textured glass. Encased in a bold, dark framework, this illuminated sculpture casts a warm neutral light across the space.

Angles, lines, and texture coalesce, creating illusions of the infinite. The repetition and layering of these design elements and materials draw on the majestic and sublime qualities of light to create sensations of movement and visual vibrations.

“As an artist, I have a deep sensitivity and affinity for light and space. I believe that light plays a central role in our perception of the world and in our interpersonal connections. Through my artworks, I aim to foster connections between people by immersing them in shared experiences of awe and wonderment. For me, light is calming, healing, energetic, grounding and spiritual. Its transformative, emotive, and sensory characteristics can influence our moods, create immersive environments, and induce an array of sensations beyond sight. Working with light feels like working with magic.”

Meagan Streader completed a BFA/Visual Arts at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (2010).

She has exhibited both nationally and internationally, including at the National Gallery of Victoria: Australia (Melbourne Now, 2023) and Sydney Contemporary (Carriageworks, Sydney, 2023), Melbourne Design Week (2023, 2024), Conners Conners Argyle Street (Melbourne, 2023), Milani Carpark (Brisbane, 2019),

The Spring Hill Reservoirs (Brisbane, 2017), Footscray Community Arts Centre (Melbourne, 2017), QUT Art Museum (Brisbane, 2016), Metro Arts (Brisbane, 2016) and NARS Foundation (NYC, 2016).

Streader has presented major site-specific projects for Dark Mofo (2019), HOTA (2019), Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial (Kyneton, 2018) and notfair Art Fair (Melbourne, 2017), Soft Centre Festival (Sydney, 2017, 2018) and Underbelly Arts Festival, Cockatoo Island (Sydney), Electrofringe (Brisbane, 2015) and Amsterdam Light Festival (Netherlands, 2015).

Additionally, she has had public works commissioned for Glen Huntly Station (Melbourne), Home x Docklands (Melbourne), Box Hill (Melbourne), Adderton: house and heart of Mercy (Brisbane), Maribyrnong Council, (Melbourne), HASSELL Architecture (Brisbane), Gadens Lawyers (Brisbane), Gold Coast University Hospital (QLD), and Gasworks Plaza (QLD). Streader has participated in local and international residencies including Broken Hill Art Gallery Residency (2020-2022), Testing Grounds, Melbourne (2018), Kochi AIR, Kochi, India (2014) and NARS in New York City (2016).

Streader’s work has been featured in Artist Profile Magazine, Art Collector, Sydney Morning Herald, Artichoke, The Design Files, Eyeline Contemporary Art Magazine, The Creator’s Project, mondo*arc and FRAME magazines and ABC’s The Mix program.

This commission is an important contribution to the Chadstone Art Collection and is the first light sculpture to be acquired by the Collection.