Perth’s art enthusiasts are questioning why cherished local sculptures have been put into long-term storage as the City of Perth invests resources in erecting a sculpture by an American artist instead.
A consulting professional in the arts has initiated a public movement urging the city to reinstate the sculpture known as Ore Obelisk, which was located in Stirling Gardens from 1971 until 2021.
The 15-metre-high Ore Obelisk, fondly nicknamed "the kebab" by numerous residents, was conceived by City of Perth city planner Paul Ritter and put up to mark Western Australia’s population hitting one million.
Showcasing various rock samples, this display represented the growth of mining activities within the state during the 1960s and 1970s.
The sculpture was taken apart and put into storage in 2021 due to "engineer assessments indicating it was unstable and could endanger public safety," according to a statement from a council representative.
Helen Curtis, who manages the public art consultancy Apparatus, is advocating for its restoration and return to exhibition, noting that it occupies a special spot in the hearts of many Western Australians.
"This is a crucial element of our cultural heritage. It forms part of our legacy as Western Australians," she stated on ABC Radio Perth.
[embed audio]These kinds of artworks bring us together as West Australians.
Ms Curtis acknowledged that the artwork was now unsafe but urged the city to undertake restoration and reinterpretation of the piece so it could return.
She suggested that the city should have explored how to reimagine the artwork and view it from another perspective, all while maintaining its core significance.
However, it was cut into pieces, placed in a box, stored away, and then ignored.
The City of Perth has not disclosed the expense associated with restoring the obelisk; however, they have stated that substantial repairs are necessary.
A representative stated, "Engineers have informed us that due to the artwork's advanced age and present condition, it necessitates either complete replacement or extensive renovation."
This involves substituting all the components made up of conglomerate rocks.
Spaceman will take the place of kebab.
Ms Curtis expressed her frustration as the council allocated between $150,000 and $250,000 to erect a new statue at the location previously occupied by the Ore Obelisk. The newly installed artwork is a seven-meter-tall astronaut created by American artist Brendan Murphy.
Last year, the council approved the acceptance of Murphy's Boonji Spaceman as a donated item, with the responsibility falling on them for covering transportation and setup costs.
The Lord Mayor of Perth, Basil Zempilas, mentioned earlier that the sculpture was an ideal addition to the city because it mirrored the tale of how astronaut John Glenn christened Perth as "the city of light" back in 1962 when locals kept their lights on during his orbital flight.
"It’s a fantastic chance to introduce something that could become a major draw for tourists, aligning perfectly with the narrative of Perth, into our city,” Cr Zempilas mentioned last year.
Ms Curtis expressed her preference for using the funding to restore the Ore Obelisk instead, noting that variations of Boonji Spaceman can already be found in London, Oslo, Dubai, and Antigua.
She stated that it does not belong to Western Australia and has no relation to what is present here.
It feels like an affront to have that situated precisely where the Ore Obelisk once stood.
The residents of Perth deserve to have their history preserved and cherished.
The City of Perth mentioned that the placement of Boonji Spaceman in the Stirling Gardens was only temporary, and it will eventually be relocated to a more permanent spot, potentially at Elizabeth Quay, sometime in the future.
A second missing sculpture
The Ore Obelisk is not the sole public art installation in the city to vanish recently.
In February, artist Lorenna Grant addressed concerns when her black and white zigzag artwork at Northbridge Piazza, titled The Arch, was taken down for maintenance in 2023 and did not return to its original position.
Grant was tasked by the council to design The Arch at a cost of $99,000 to enhance the revitalization of the nearby Northbridge Piazza in 2009.
Grant mentioned that she first heard from the city in 2023 regarding worries about the structural integrity of The Arch.
"She stated, 'My reply was "alright, it has been around for 14 years, so maybe it’s about time we gave it some renovation."'”
However, when I visited the site accompanied by my fabricator, we observed and recorded that the artwork remained completely undamaged above the two-meter mark.
It showed no signs of rust, which means it might have been restored and rejuvenated instead of having everything discarded and gone for good.
Grant mentioned that the city requested her to submit proposals on how The Arch could either undergo restoration or be relocated to a different site, and she complied with this request.
She mentioned that someone from the City of Perth called her and simply stated that they lack the funds to proceed with the project.
Grant was similarly disheartened upon discovering that around the same period, the council had committed finances to the Boonji Spaceman project.
She pointed out a significant inconsistency between their authenticity and honesty versus the decision to seek talent beyond Perth instead of supporting local artists, our distinctiveness, and innovation.
Their selection is an art piece created in multiple copies. This intersection was designed with The Arch specifically in mind.
A representative from the city affirmed that The Arch was still in storage "owing to issues regarding public safety."
"The city has discussed possible repair solutions with the artist," stated the spokesperson.
Currently, there are no plans to bring back the artwork at the James Street site.
