Canberra Airport Welcomes New Canberra Art Biennial Installation by Bronte Cormican-Jones
Art Meets Architecture in the Terminal
The Way the Light Hits the Building explores the role of glass in shaping how we see and move through space. Constructed from large sheets of glass arranged as an enclosed structure, the installation creates a series of openings and sightlines that frame changing views of the airport and the people moving through it.
As visitors walk around the work, reflections, transparency and shifting perspectives continually transform what they see. The installation sits somewhere between sculpture and architecture, inviting audiences to consider not only what lies beyond the glass, but also the material itself, its weight, scale, surface and ability to create boundaries.
Light plays a central role in the work. As it moves across the glass throughout the day, edges catch and reflect light while surrounding architecture, travellers and activity become layered across multiple transparent planes. The result is a dynamic artwork that changes with every passing moment.
Presented within Canberra Airport's busy terminal environment, the installation takes on additional meaning. Airports are places defined by movement, thresholds, arrivals and departures, with glass forming a key part of the passenger experience. By drawing attention to these often-overlooked architectural elements, The Way the Light Hits the Building encourages visitors to pause and observe the space around them in new ways.
About the Artist
Bronte Cormican-Jones is an Australian artist and researcher whose practice spans sculpture, performance and writing. Based between Sydney and Utrecht in the Netherlands, her work explores how people experience and navigate built environments, with a particular focus on architecture, perception and public space.
Working with materials including glass, steel, timber and brick, Bronte investigates how architecture influences the way we see, occupy and understand our surroundings. Glass is central to her practice because of its unique ability to both define and destabilise space, simultaneously creating boundaries while maintaining visual connection.
A recipient of the FUSE Glass Prize David Henshall Emerging Artist Award, Bronte is currently undertaking a practice-led PhD at the University of Sydney. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia and internationally, including at the Milan Glass Biennale, Canberra Glassworks, the National Film and Sound Archive and Canberra Contemporary.
Supporting the Canberra Art Biennial
Canberra Airport has proudly supported the Canberra Art Biennial since its inception, helping bring contemporary public art to both visitors and the local community. The biennial is a major cultural event that transforms Canberra through site-specific installations, exhibitions and public programs, connecting people with art in unexpected places across the city.
The airport's partnership with the festival reflects a long-standing commitment to supporting arts and culture in the national capital. By showcasing works from participating Biennial artists within the terminal, Canberra Airport creates opportunities for travellers from across Australia and around the world to engage with contemporary Australian art as part of their journey.
As Canberra's gateway, the airport welcomes millions of passengers each year and is uniquely positioned to introduce audiences to the creativity, talent and cultural experiences that make the region distinctive.