Gilgamesh, Bronze statue at University of Sydney Camperdown Campus, Australia
Gilgamesh is a bronze sculpture at the University of Sydney's Camperdown Campus depicting a legendary figure from ancient Mesopotamia. Standing roughly 2.5 meters tall between two campus buildings, the work is accompanied by a bronze plaque with contextual information.
Artist Lewis Batros created the sculpture to mark the University of Sydney's 150th anniversary, with the official unveiling taking place in October 2000. The work was commissioned for this milestone celebration in the university's history.
The bronze figure portrays an ancient ruler as he appears in Mesopotamian texts, showing a being caught between the mortal and divine worlds. Standing on campus, it serves as a bridge connecting ancient Middle Eastern heritage to modern university life.
The sculpture sits on the open university grounds and can be visited freely without requiring tickets or special arrangements. The location is clearly marked and the informational plaque on site provides visitors with all essential details about the artwork.
The Assyrian community in Australia commissioned this work, making it a rare example of ancient Mesopotamian heritage finding expression through a contemporary artwork created specifically for them. This gesture connects a dispersed modern community to their ancestral cultural legacy in a tangible, permanent way.
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