A New Monument Arrives at Circular Quay — And It’s a Powerful Teaching Moment for Stage 1

A new bronze giant has taken its place on the Tallawoladah Lawn outside the Museum of Contemporary Art, marking the launch of the inaugural Neil Balnaves Tallawoladah Lawn Commission. Created by British artist Thomas J Price, the sculpture rises over Circular Quay with a quiet confidence — not grand or dramatic, but deeply human. It immediately changes the feel of the harbour precinct, inviting people to slow down and look up.

For Stage 1 teachers, this new public artwork offers a rich, manageable way to introduce ideas about people, place and the stories communities choose to share. Because the sculpture depicts a contemporary, everyday figure rather than a historical hero, students connect with it quickly. They recognise the clothing, the posture and the expression. They see someone who could be part of their world — someone they might pass on the footpath or spot on the ferry. This makes the artwork a gentle entry point for big conversations, even with very young learners.

What makes Price’s work especially meaningful is how it shifts the idea of what a “monument” can be. Instead of celebrating a distant figure from history, it honours the people who live in our communities right now. The sculpture stands tall but does so quietly, showing that everyday identity is just as worthy of attention. For children, this message lands intuitively. They naturally notice the details: the stance, the clothes, the calm expression. They’re quick to ask why such a large sculpture shows someone so relatable, and those questions lead straight into rich learning.

The sculpture also aligns perfectly with the NSW Stage 1 curriculum. In Visual Arts, students explore how artists represent people and communicate ideas — and here those ideas are easy to see in the scale, pose and material. In HSIE, the work becomes an example of how people shape places and how public spaces tell stories about community. In English, it supports descriptive language, emotional vocabulary and simple comparative thinking. Nothing needs to be complicated. Everything is already built into the experience of noticing.

When introducing the artwork, calm, simple framing works beautifully. Teachers might say, “Artists sometimes make very big artworks to help us notice small details,” or “This sculpture shows an ordinary person who looks like they belong in our world today.” These soft, reassuring sentences give students a safe way in, without pressure to analyse or interpret beyond their developmental readiness.

If you do decide to visit, the MCA offers thoughtful learning programs for primary classes, designed to help children explore art through looking, talking and guided making. Their educators are skilled at creating emotionally safe environments, helping students feel confident and curious in gallery spaces. Even a short session can extend what students noticed outdoors and deepen their understanding in achievable, age-appropriate ways.

Circular Quay is always a busy place, but this new sculpture brings a moment of steadiness to the harbour. It creates a pause — an invitation to notice someone who might otherwise blend into a crowd. For teachers, it’s a lovely opportunity to connect art, community and place in a way that feels meaningful, contemporary and accessible for Stage 1.

Photo: Anna Kučera