Kings Park area selected for public art work

16/2/94

An area in Kings Park near the Tobruk Memorial will be used to create a public art work as a lasting memorial to the Year of the Family in Western Australia.

Community Development and Family Minister Roger Nicholls announced today that the project was being undertaken as a joint venture between the Year of the Family Unit and the Kings Park Board, with support from the Department for the Arts and possibly the Water Authority.

He said that advertisements on the weekend would invite artists who could do the work to register their interest with the Department for the Arts.

From this register, 15 artists would be chosen and briefed on site so that they could define their concepts.

In late March or early April, three artists would be chosen and paid to develop models of their plans.

One artist would then be commissioned to create the project, with the objective of having it unveiled in August or September.

While the selection process was going on, sponsors would be invited to consider funding the project as a contribution to the Year of the Family.

The WA Water Authority had already registered as a sponsor and would do whatever engineering was necessary if the artist planned to use water in the final design.

Mr Nicholls congratulated the Kings Park Board, the Water Authority and the Department for the Arts on the enthusiasm they had shown for the public art project.

"The Year of the Family has been drawing tremendous support right across the community," the Minister said.

"I believe the level of support demonstrates that most people clearly understand that family life is the key to a successful community."

Mr Nicholls added that it was most appropriate that the public art work commemorating the Year of the Family should be close to the Tobruk Memorial which honoured people who had done so much to defend their country and its way of life.

Media contact:  Hugh Ryan 221 5468