It proved a crowd – and dog – favourite during the 2025 Lake Light Sculpture Festival in Jindabyne and now The Giant Chairlift is set to stay in town. Photo: Lake Light Sculpture Festival Facebook.
A bold new sculpture on the shores of Lake Jindabyne is turning heads — and staying put.
Unveiled during this year’s Lake Light Sculpture Festival, The Big Chairlift by local artist Darragh Walsh quickly became a festival favourite.
Now, thanks to strong community support, it is set to have a permanent place in the town.
Constructed from salvaged steel and locally sourced timber, the three-metre-high sculpture reflects Jindabyne’s long-standing connection to the nearby snowfields.
Positioned with sweeping views of the lake and distant mountains, it also served a practical purpose — offering a place to pause, take a photo or simply enjoy the surroundings.
Walsh, who has lived in Jindabyne for decades and is known for his environmentally-focused public art, says the piece was inspired by his own experiences growing up in the mountains.
“The chairlift has always been more than a way to get up the hill,” he said. “It’s a place where you take a breath, share a moment or feel that anticipation before a day on the slopes. I wanted to capture that feeling.”
During the festival the sculpture was illuminated by solar-powered uplights, its silhouette drawing camera-toting crowds and sparking conversations about it possibly becoming a permanent fixture.
The Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce, led by Olivier Kapetanakos, launched a GoFundMe campaign over the Easter long weekend to purchase and maintain the artwork.
“Not only is the big chairlift a magnificent sculpture, it’s a fitting symbol of our town’s identity, our shared memories and our alpine spirit,” Mr Kapetanakos said.
The response was swift. The campaign met and exceeded its $25,000 goal in just four days, supported by more than 175 individuals, businesses and organisations.
One cafe donated a day’s profits and local school kids held a bake sale to pitch in. Then there were major donations of $5000 each from Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s mayor Chris Hanna and Shaun Turner of Doppelmayr Australia. And the Lake Light Sculpture Festival committee agreed to half the commission on the piece.
Mr Kapetanakos said funds raised would cover the cost of acquiring the sculpture and support its long-term maintenance and signage.
“The response has been nothing short of phenomenal and we’re so proud to help keep it here in Jindabyne for locals and visitors to enjoy for years to come,” Mr Kapetanakos said.
With a permanent spot still to be determined, there are plans for The Big Chairlift to become the first stop on a future public art trail.
“As Australia’s alpine playground, Jindabyne is the ideal setting for public art that reflects adventure and our seasonal rhythm from winter snow sports to mountain biking in the green season, capturing the true spirit of a town shaped by life in the alpine outdoors,” Mr Kapetanakos said.
“This isn’t just about one sculpture, it’s about building something lasting — a reason for people to stop, engage, and connect with this place in a new way,” he said.
Festival organisers see the outcome as a promising sign for the future of the event.
“More and more, we’re seeing temporary artworks spark something bigger,” said Lake Light Sculpture committee member Elle Finlay.
“When a piece becomes part of the town’s identity, that’s when you know it’s resonated.”
Darragh Walsh has shared his gratitude with the community.
“It’s been amazing to see how people have responded,” he said.
“I’ve always dreamed of creating something that could become a local icon. Thanks to everyone who contributed — you’ve made that possible.”
