ACON’s Bondi Memorial Project is entering an exciting new phase with expressions of interest for the development of an artwork now open.
Waverley Council and ACON are seeking tender submissions from artists for a public artwork in Tamarama’s Marks Park to honour victims and survivors targeted in homophobic and transphobic attacks.
During the 1970s to 1990s, a wave of anti-LGBTQ violence swept through NSW with many gay men, lesbians and trans people assaulted. Many gay men were murdered along the Bondi coastline, including Marks Park.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said the opening of submissions marks an important step forward for the Bondi Memorial Project.
“Since 2016, ACON has been working in partnership with Waverley Council towards the Bondi Memorial Project, which will see the construction of a monument along the Bondi coast in remembrance of the many members of our communities that fell victim to the epidemic of homophobic and transphobic violence that gripped Sydney from the 1970s to 1990s,” said Mr Parkhill.
“This public art work will serve as a memorial to the deaths of these people and also help heal the trauma these events have caused for the loved ones of the victims and survivors, as well as the LGBTQ community and many local residents. The public artwork will also help raise greater community awareness of this issue and serve as a reminder of the importance of valuing and celebrating diversity in our community.”
“We thank Waverley Council for their continued support for the Bondi Memorial Project and for the broader LGBTQ community,” said Mr Parkhill.
Waverley Council endorsed Marks Park as the site for the art work in October last year. It has also committed up to $100,000 for the design and installation of the artwork. Further fund raising efforts are currently underway.
Waverley Mayor John Wakefield said the memorial would be a permanent reminder by which the community can pay respect to these men and women, their families, friends and the LGBTQ community.
“It will be a place where inclusion, acceptance and diversity will be celebrated by the community,” said Mayor Wakefield. “We are excited to see the shortlisted concept designs which will be placed on public exhibition for community feedback.”
Parkhill hoped to see bold concepts for the art work, which will not only acknowledge the past, but also look to the future. “The violence and hate our communities were subjected to in the 1970s through to the 1990s were unacceptable and for many, this has left a painful legacy that continues to be felt today,” he said.
“We have been working with a range of community partners over the years to address the residual trauma these tragic events have caused. This public art work will become a beacon of hope, justice, diversity and inclusion,” added Mr Markhill.
There has been extensive community consultation throughout the planning process and this will continue during the commissioning phase. The Request for Tender documents can be obtained by registering through Tenderlinks. Search ‘Tenderlink Waverley’ on Google. Deadline for submissions is 27 September 2019.
For more information about the Bondi Memorial Project and to assist the fundraising effort, visit: www.bondimemorial.com.au for details.
Image: Mark’s Park, Tamarama (sourced)