World Within, World Without (Forgotten Australians) 2010

BODYCOMB, Helen

Registration number

1636984

Artist/maker

BODYCOMB, Helen

Title

World Within, World Without (Forgotten Australians)

Production date

2010

Medium

mosaic slate, granite and glass

Dimensions (H x W x D)

50 x 250 x 300 cm (approx.)

Inscriptions

World within, world without (2010) / Helen Bodycomb / This artwork reflects the constellations above Victoria at 11am / on 16 November 2009, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made / his national apology to the ’Forgotten Australians’. / Wattle blossoms represent the one thousand most visible stars / and planets, one for every one hundred children who were in / Victorian state care. Here we remember those thousands of children who / were separated from their families and grew up or / spent time in Victorian orphanages, children’s homes / and foster homes last century. / Many were frightened, abused and neglected. / We acknowledge the many shattered lives and the / courage and strength of those who survived. / Unveiled 25th October 2010 and developed with the support of the Australian and / Victorian Governments and the City of Melbourne.

Credit line

Developed with the support of the Australian and Victorian Governments and the City of Melbourne, 2010
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Forgotten Australians, Helen Bodycomb, World Within, World Without, 2010, City of Melbourne

Summary

Location: Southbank Promenade This artwork reflects the constellations above Victoria at 11am on 16 November 2009, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made his national apology to the ‘Forgotten Australians’. Wattle blossoms represent the 1000 most visible stars and planets, one for every 100 children who were in Victorian state care. We remember the thousands of children who, up until the 1990s, grew up in Victorian orphanages, children’s homes and foster homes, and were separated from their families and deprived of love and nurturing. Many were frightened, abused and neglected by a system responsible for their safety and wellbeing. We acknowledge the many shattered lives and the courage and strength of those who survived.