Lifestyle

Plans For State’s First Domestic Violence Memorial

Plans for a new interactive sculptural garden will stand as the state’s first dedicated memorial for domestic violence survivors and victims if a fundraiser campaign is successful.

Survivors and victims of domestic and family violence will soon have a place for reflection and recognition in the Adelaide CBD, if a public fundraiser campaign is successful.

Plans for the new interactive sculptural garden will stand as the state’s first dedicated memorial in Mirnu Wirra in the Adelaide Parklands on South Terrace, and will be named Place of Courage.

Designed by renowned South Australian sculptural artists Christine Cholewa and Deb Jones, in partnership with Kiri Bowmer of urban design company Oxigen, Place of Courage will feature a striking black granite sculpture depicting two monoliths ringed by gentle ocean ripples, set in landscaped gardens.

The brains behind the project is 87-year-old domestic violence survivor and activist Helen Oxenham, of advocacy organisation Spirit of Woman. Her vision for Place of Courage will be; a focal point for remembrance, and for the community to come together to celebrate collective courage, healing and harmony and share our hopes for a future Australia free from violence.

While the Stage One concept designs have been funded by the State Government through Arts South Australia, the Adelaide City Council and White Ribbon, Stage Two of the project needs support.

Spirit of Woman is seeking $15,000 in corporate and public funding to get the project to the next stage; full design, site planning and construction, with the aim of completion by the end of 2019.

In regards to the design, artists Christine Cholewa and Deb Jones says, “’Ripple’ is an appropriate word and visual to use because while it is a perfect analogy for the pervasive effects of domestic violence and its far reaching effects it is also, by its nature, a great representation of how positive actions of love, kindness and care go on to help many.”

Ms Oxenham says she hopes, “Place of Courage will be a peaceful and contemplative space to commemorate the scores of Australian women killed every year by their loved ones, and to educate the community about the silent war of domestic violence.”

To find out more, head to Spirit of Woman’s website.

More News

To Top