| Sergio Redegalli | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 Milan, Italy |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Field | Glass artist |
| Training | Sydney College of the Arts |
| Works | Cascade |
| Awards | |
| Website | http://www.cydoniaglass.com.au/ |
Sergio Redegalli (born 1962 in Milan, Italy) is an Australian glass artist specialising in the architectural glass and glass sculptures. He is a director of the Cydonia Glass Studio located in Newtown, New South Wales. Redegalli graduated from Sydney College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Arts Glass (Visual Arts) in 1984 and a Graduate Diploma – Glass Visual Arts in 1988.[1] His glass sculpture Cascade was commissioned for the World Expo in Brisbane in 1988. This massive 12 ton sculpture in the shape of a cascading wave is on display in Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide.[2]
In September 2010 Redegalli painted a mural on his outer studio wall of a woman in a full-face Muslim covering with a strike symbol over her face and the words Say No To Burqas. The mural, visible from major train lines, has been defaced with paint countless times by protesters. Redegalli has claimed to have the support of the Marrickville community "10 to one".[3] Community leaders have condemned the mural and former Mayor Sam Iskandar has stated that the mural, "goes against the values which the Marrickville community has believed in and practiced for generations".[4]
In December 2010, members of the Australian Protectionist Party, described in an Australian Newspaper headline as “anti Islamist”, were encouraged to meet at the mural after being contacted by Redegalli.[5][6] The intention was counteract a planned anti mural protest by persons whom Redegalli labelled as ‘socialists’ and ‘renters’.[7] The resultant protest lead to the arrest of seven people.[8]
A complaint was lodged by a local Muslim woman with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board claiming that the mural is feeding racist and sexist attitudes. The supporters of the mural have voiced their concerns about security and the rise of Islamic extremism in Australia.[9][10]