A striking new bronze sculpture by Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie has transformed Todman Square, Kensington, into a powerful meeting point of culture, community, and contemporary art. The piece, titled Totemic, explores First Nations identity in a modern urban landscape, connecting heritage with community space.
Totemic is part of the New Monumental public art series commissioned by Scape and curated by Vital Commons, an initiative that invites artists to rethink what monuments represent in modern Australia.
The New Monumental series encourages artists to reinterpret the concept of monumentality to reflect the diversity of today’s Australia. Alongside Rennie, the project features works by Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Monica Rani Rudhar, each offering a distinct response to the evolving identity of urban spaces.
Rennie’s Totemic stands out for its commanding form and reflective surface that changes with the light and movement of its surroundings at Todman Square. The artist has drawn on traditional Kamilaroi diamond patterns—a recurring motif in his work—to ground the sculpture in cultural continuity. The design extends to the paving beneath the piece, linking ancestral heritage with the city’s contemporary rhythm.
Rennie has long focused on creating art that fosters understanding of First Nations culture and reconciliation through visual storytelling. His goal with Totemic is to encourage public dialogue about Indigenous identity and its place within Australia’s built environment. The sculpture’s reflective bronze surface mirrors its surroundings, encouraging viewers to consider their relationship to place.
Local collaboration was central to bringing the project to life. Support came from the Randwick City Council Art Collection, Scape, Vital Commons, the Gujaga Foundation, David Hagger, and Sculpture Co. Together, these partners contributed to a project that embeds cultural meaning within Kensington’s urban landscape.
Published 22-Oct-2025
