UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey on the shortlisted concept designs. At the 18 August Council meeting, it was resolved to approve the recommendation that we engage Urban Art Project for their concept design Rise. The Consultation Summary and Council report is available in the 'Document Library'

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Waverley Council and LGBTQ+ health organisation ACON are calling for community feedback on the shortlisted designs for the development of a site-specific public artwork in the built environment of Marks Park, Tamarama.

Background

The core purpose of this artwork is to acknowledge the victims and survivors of an epidemic of homophobic and transphobic violence estimated to have claimed the lives of more than 88 gay men and transgender women across NSW between 1970 and 2000.

Several of these crimes took place specifically in Marks Park on the Bondi coastline and were documented in Greg Callaghan's 2007 true crime book, Bondi Badlands and Duncan McNab’s 2017 book Getting Away With Murder. Recognition and acknowledgment are key in the healing process for the families, partners and friends of victims of these crimes and the LGBTQ+ community generally.

Many of the crimes are unsolved therefore leaving survivors and loved ones without resolution or peace of mind. This artwork will serve as a place for people to reflect and seek solace as well as a beacon of hope for an inclusive future.

Artwork Concept Designs

Following the call-out for artist expressions of interest in 2019, six were shortlisted to develop detailed concept designs. More information on the process to date is available under the 'Media Releases' tab.

The six shortlisted artists and their design proposals are:

All designs were required to meet the objectives for Public Art, as outlined in Waverley Council’s Public Art Policy (pgs 2 & 3), alongside the Principle Framework for The Bondi Memorial artwork established by ACON after in-depth discussions with survivors, family and friends of victims, investigative Journalists, police officers and others directly affected by the crimes committed in Marks Park.

Community Feedback

Waverley Council together with ACON invited the community to let us know your preferred design, and further comments to assist in us selecting a final design to be commissioned. Community consultation ran from 3 June to 5 July 2020.