Chinese community concerned for future of Golden Water Mouth sculpture after city flags removal

Sydney’s Chinese community want answers after the City of Sydney have suggested removing a decaying tree sculpture that has become an icon of Chinatown.

The 1999 artwork known as Golden Water Mouth stands at the corner of Sussex Street and Hay Street, which is regarded as the unofficial entry point into Sydney’s historic Chinatown.

Kevin Cheng, who co-founded the community group Soul of Chinatown, said he was not convinced everything had been done to try save the artwork.

“It’s ripping something out from the heart of Chinatown,” Mr Cheng said.

“We are concerned that, if it is to be removed, that nothing will be replaced or put in its place and that would be a huge loss … from a symbolism and spiritual point of view for our community.”

The artwork by the late artist Lin Li features the five natural elements in Chinese culture: fire, earth, water, gold and wood.

It features a 10-metre-high tree from Condobolin in the NSW central west where many Chinese miners travelled in the 19th century.

The sculpture features feng shui elements including water that runs down the tree to its base before being circulated back up the tree.

George Wing Kee, who has worked in Chinatown since 1946 and used to run local tours, said the artist chose the tree because it was resilient to floods and fire that had hit the town.

“In that respect the tree represented not only the resilience and the connection that the Chinese people had with the town, it was a time where they reflected their passion for living in Australia,” Mr Wing Kee said.

‘May not be feasible’ for sculpture to remain

The City of Sydney has fenced off Golden Water Mouth with signage indicating there were structural problems with the timber.

“Despite regular maintenance the natural timber is cracking and degrading, as is expected, with evidence of some termite activity,” a spokesperson for City of Sydney said.

The spokesperson said they were looking at partially retaining the sculpture.

“All options are being considered, including keeping the majority of the work in place,” the spokesperson said.

“If removal is required the community has contributed suggestions including preserving part of the work elsewhere or remembering it on site.”

‘Wonderful’ opportunity for new artwork to represent the next chapter

Mr Cheng says if Golden Water Mouth needs replacing it should have something honouring Lin Li’s original work

He wants to see signage installed so visitors can explore the story and the cultural importance of the original work “because a lot of people don’t know the history of what it’s about and it’s role and what it symbolises”, Mr Cheng said.

He said he would like to see any necessary replacement carry the same spirit as Golden Water Mouth.

“If there is removal there is a wonderful opportunity for the City of Sydney to commit to funding for a replacement,” Mr Cheng said.

“I think it would be the biggest travesty of all if there was just the standard City of Sydney benches put there, or a bike rack.

The City of Sydney said it was investing $44 million into the revitalisation of Haymarket and Chinatown.