The Big Golden Guitar

**Artists **Harry Frost & Len Surtees

**Production date **1988

Media Fibreglass over a steel frame

Measurements 1200cm (h) x 426cm (w) x 94cm (d)

Credit The Big Golden Guitar was donated to the Tamworth Regional Council under the Australian Government's Cultural Gift Program.

Tamworth's Big Golden Guitar is of national significance. The Golden Guitar sculpture was designed by artist Harry Frost and produced by Len Surtees. The work has aesthetic significance in design and the large-scale structure assists in creating a sense of awe for audiences and functions as a landmark sculpture. Standing 12m high the Big Golden Guitar weighs half a ton and is made from fibreglass shell over a steel frame. The overall dimensions are height 1200cm x width 426cm x depth 94cm.

A striking tribute to Tamworth’s country music reputation, the Big Golden Guitar is a replica of the famous golden guitar used for Australia’s Annual Country Music Awards. The Big Golden Guitar was unveiled by Australia’s “King of Country Music” Slim Dusty on 25th January, 1988 (Australia’s Bicentennial Year). Slim has won more Golden Guitars than any other Australian Country Music recording artist.

This sculpture is seen an Australian “Icon” and is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Australia. There wouldn’t be many tourists and country music fans that pass-through Tamworth without having their photo taken in front of the Big Golden Guitar. Known throughout the world it is a visual marker that identifies the city of Tamworth as the Country Music Capital of Australia, which has one of the largest festivals in the southern hemisphere in January each year.

You can find the Golden Guitar standing prominently on the New England Highway on the southern approach to Tamworth. It is located as part of the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre complex (which includes a souvenir shop, National Guitar Museum, Country Music Wax Museum and Golden Guitar Café).

Located on 2 The Ringers Road, South Tamworth.