‘The Distance of your Heart’ public artwork

The Distance of Your Heart

Slow down for a moment next time you pass through the northern end of the city and you might spot one of Sydney’s most intriguing public artworks; 62 bronze birds, perched high and low. Once you’ve twigged to their existence, you’re compelled to seek them out, a treasure hunt. The Distance of Your Heart was created by renowned international artist Tracey Emin in 2016, and the life-sized birds require periodic bird baths and waxing to keep them looking at their best.

Object conservators Amy Walsh and Claire Rowson are part of a team undertaking the upkeep. “A lot of our work is with the City of Sydney, but we work with individuals too. One week we’re restoring a public sculpture, the next we’re looking after someone’s grandmother’s silver soup dish!”

A wash and a wax ensures the tiny bronze birds are protected. Photo: Chris Southwood

“Getting out on site like this is a treat for us, because we get to talk to people – a lot of conservation work is carried out in libraries, museums or galleries where it’s pretty quiet,” laughs Walsh.

The birds are checked and treated for corrosion, cleaned and then heated before being given a coating of protective wax. “We use a crystalline wax that is designed to degrade over time, and which won’t trap any moisture underneath it,” said Walsh. “It’s one of our conservation principles that any treatment we carry out should be reversible too.”

A pleasant upshot of the maintenance is that it draws attention to the artwork. “A lot of people around here are office workers, bee-lining for the ferries,” said Rawson. “So when they see us with a blow torch, they take notice and become aware of the artwork.”