A GARDEN sculpture will be a lasting reminder of rock royalty Sir Elton John's visit to Bathurst.
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On hearing the news last year that the music superstar was going to visit Bathurst to perform, residents at St Catherine's were inspired to create an artwork from a worn-out piano.
The finished piece has exceeded expectations - and is set to become a garden feature.
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"Our therapy at St Catherine's likes to provide challenges to our residents and adding a practical element such as a garden feature and very large pot plant, as in this case, ticked the boxes," St Catherine's recreational activities officer John Moran said.
"When we heard of Sir Elton visiting Bathurst, the association of an unused piano laying idle just screamed 'next project'.
"Now, of course assessments need to be made regarding safety risk and through negotiations with management.
"Our small art group embarked on the journey of drab timber piano to sculptured mass in colour.
"I dismantled the instrument away from curious eyes as there is something strange in people's reaction to seeing a piano taken apart, but once the deed was done, the panels were taken into St Anne's wing and there work progressed over the next few months.
"With thick rubber gloves and a good layer of tile glue, the residents proceeded to place the broken tiles, creating a mosaic with various tea pots, cups and saucers and ceramic masks protruding from all panels of our piano.
"The frame then took its place in the garden and the piano was reassembled and, of course, there can be no piano without a stool, so a befitting stool in the shape of a tiger was fashioned and painted in orange and black stripes ... with large sunglasses - after all, we are taking into consideration that both piano and piano stool are for a knight.
"The majority of the work was carried out by our residents living with dementia, which makes us all here at St Catherine's so proud that they can accomplish such a statement that brings joy to anybody who visits."
