Bronwen Colman
Bronwen Colman
(LLB Melb)
Bronwen Colman (’82) left an extraordinary legacy of public artworks that transformed urban spaces in Melbourne and beyond, working as an Arts policy adviser, curator and project manager.
Graduating with degrees in Arts and Law after leaving school, Bronwen was admitted to practise as a barrister in 1992. It was her passion for the Arts that changed her career path. Between 1996 and 2023, she held management and leadership roles within the Victoria Premier’s Department, the Melbourne Docklands Authority, Stonnington Council, the City of Melbourne and later at the McClelland Gallery.
A champion of local artists, Bronwen encouraged them to imagine their work on the largest possible canvas. Career highlights included the redevelopment of the Royal Children’s Hospital, where she managed two major sculpture commissions by artist Alexander Knox and artist Jade Oakley. The works encourage curiosity, joy and wonder – a perfect distraction for sick children. As director of urban art for the Docklands precinct, she was charged with tendering for, commissioning and overseeing the installation of all the art works in this area.
Bronwen helped conceive and deliver iconic sculptures such as Eagle by Bruce Armstrong to commemorate the naming of Wurundjeri Way, Webb Bridge, a collaboration between artist Robert Owen and architects Denton Corker Marshall, and John Kelly’s Cow up a Tree.
Bronwen was senior curator for public art consultancy Creative Road for a decade. During this time, she was a major contributor to public art strategies and commissioned artworks across Australia, including the 2015 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the Parramatta Road urban amenity project, Brisbane Airport domestic terminal upgrade and the Canberra Hospital expansion project.
It was her ability to build collaborative bridges between three distinctive worlds – the artistic community, the building and construction sector, and government, that was her incredible strength.
At school, Bronwen joined every extracurricular activity available from madrigals, choir, and netball to debating and school plays. She loved skiing and tennis. In 2023, Bronwen passed away. She was a much loved wife, mother, sister and aunt, and a good friend to many.
