Reko Rennie's artwork featuring aluminium panels celebrates eel's heritage in Parramatta

Reko Rennie's 'Where Eels Lie Down' pays homage to the eel's heritage in Parramatta with a large-scale piece depicting two eels emerging from the earth and crossing each other as they play. Visitors can walk under, around, and through portions of the 7.5-metre-tall painted aluminium and granite sculpture. The 7.5-metre-tall artwork shows two eels emerging from the earth and crossing each other as they play. The stunning large-scale artwork of grey granite stone and bright pink aluminium panels will fascinate visitors.

"The name of our beautiful city, Parramatta, is derived from the Dharug word Barramada meaning 'where eels lie down'. This incredible public artwork is a celebration of the significant history of Aboriginal culture here and Dharug connection to the eel and Parramatta River. This sculpture serves as a reminder to everyone who passes through Parramatta Square of our City's rich and diverse history and our bright future," said City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Sameer Pandey.

The eels in the artwork will be lighted up with blue light at night, making the piece sparkle. 'Where Eels Lie Down' is one of two artworks selected for the $2.7 billion Parramatta Square complex after a global competition. An impartial team of judges was chosen from over 110 entries, including those from foreign artists from the United States, Japan, and Spain. Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro's Place of the Eels, the first piece, was revealed in September 2022. The artwork is an eight-metre-tall metal reproduction of a vintage bus that captures lively scenes and people from Parramatta's past.