Taken Not Given 2018

ROSS, Anne

Registration number

1748290

Artist/maker

ROSS, Anne

Title

Taken Not Given

Production date

2018

Medium

cast bronze, silver nitrate patina

Dimensions (H x W x D)

180 cm (woman height); 110 cm (young girl height); 54 cm (infant boy height); 30 x 120 x 180 cm (plinth)

Inscriptions

Taken Not Given / Anne Ross, 2018 / This artwork remembers the mothers and children who were separated by forced adoption policies and practices. It acknowledges the loss and pain that this created – a lifetime of grief for us, the mothers, and the loss of birthright for our sons and daughters. The right to love and care for our children was taken from us and the harm inflicted is irreparable. Following a damning Commonwealth Senate Inquiry, the Victorian Parliament took steps towards ameliorating this shameful legacy by offering an unreserved apology. / Unveiled on 26 October 2018

Credit line

Commissioned by the Victorian Government, 2018
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Anne Ross, Taken Not Given, 2018, forced adoption

Summary

Location: Cnr St Andrews Place & Lansdowne Street Artist statement Of Love and Loss. My aim while creating this work was for it to be a quiet piece. I wanted to imbue within it the element of time. The mother, holding in her arms.... no baby. Her arm outstretched...to her child that she no longer has. The toddler holding his toy bird, the mother and toddler have spent from birth to this stage apart. The young girl with her hand reaching back to the mother she has never known, and looking ahead to her own future. The life cycle. While making this work my intention was for it to be a place of quiet contemplation, of remembrance, and healing. I would like to thank the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne for making this possible. I would also like to thank Bill Perrin and Perrin Sculpture Foundry. Anne Ross www.anneross.com.au