Autumn Diptych: A commission for Ozcare’s Rendu Towers
“Compassion and connection are so important for our community.”
As you step into the lobby of Rendu Towers, you’re greeted by a new artwork created especially for the residents. Designed to be warm and inviting, it reflects the deep sense of connection that permeates this community. Ozcare has crafted a beautiful aged care and retirement living community in Newstead, and I was first introduced to them over a year ago when I created Daughter of the World, a commissioned artwork for the foyer of Villa Rosalie, Ozcare’s new aged care development.
Creating artwork for those who will live with it is always meaningful, and it was heartening to learn how much Daughter of the World resonated with the residents and families at Villa Rosalie. When the Ozcare team approached me to create a second piece for Rendu Towers—their stunning retirement community next door—I was honored to contribute again.
Working on this new piece allowed me to delve even deeper into the lives of the Ozcare residents. I had the pleasure of meeting some of them, sharing conversations, and learning about the types of art they appreciated. These interactions were the inspiration behind the new commission, which I’ve titled The Autumn Diptych.
The Autumn Diptych, Sarah Daly (2024)
Inspired by the natural surroundings of Villa Rosalie and Rendu Towers, I wanted to connect this piece with the beautiful arch created by Elisa Jane Carmichael, Treasured Spirit. Her design features delicate leaf shapes, casting intricate shadows as sunlight filters through the arch.
Treasured Spirit, Elisa Jane Carmichael and UAP (2022)
The Autumn Diptych (detail), Sarah Daly (2024)
In The Autumn Diptych, I created an abstracted eucalyptus forest, where the forms of the trees lean toward the light. I incorporated the warm, autumnal tones already present in the foyer and added hints of blue to represent the vast Australian skies seen through the foliage. Like Daughter of the World, this piece features netting iconography, symbolizing our connections to one another, a motif that also harmonizes with the forms in Elisa’s arch.
My hope is for residents and their families to walk between these three artworks, discovering the common threads and unique differences among them. I hope they enjoy the dialogue these pieces inspire, creating a shared experience that reflects the warmth and unity of the Rendu Towers community.