by Claudia San Miguel
Our series of stories, Know Your Park Lands Art, guides you through various creative displays within your Adelaide Park Lands. This time, we put the spotlight on an intriguing floral display.
The Forgotten Australians Memorial is an eye-catching and inspiring depiction of hope and resilience for many Australians.
It’s located in the northern-most corner of Red Gum Park / Karrawirra (Park 12), between Frome Road and Sir Edwin Smith Avenue, near the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Pic: Shane Sody
Visual artist Craige Andrae’s 2010 memorial is comprised of four stainless steel Australian native daisies, the largest surpassing 6 metres tall. All four of the flowers are in different stages of blooming.
The memorial was initiated by the Alliance for Forgotten Australians to represent past trauma within State systems of care.
Photo: Experience Adelaide.
It tells the story of the 500,000 Australian children who suffered neglect, exploitation and brutality at the hands of out-of-home care systems over the previous century. The artwork concept was developed by Craige Andrae who was inspired by his love and hopes for his own children.
On 17 June 2008, former Premier Mike Rann proposed a motion in Parliament to issue an apology to the victims who endured child abuse while under state care.
Photo: Experience Adelaide.
Two years later, on 17 June 2010, the Forgotten Australians Memorial was unveiled, with an estimated 200 people in attendance — most of whom had been victims of abuse while in care.
The memorial’s dedication reads: “In honour of children who suffered abuse in institutional and out of home care — we have grown through awareness and unity. We celebrate our courage, strength and resilience. We are no longer forgotten. Dedicated to the future protection and nurturing of all children.” Photo: Stephen Warren.
Survivor and South Australian activist Priscilla Taylor worked collaboratively in organising the Forgotten Australians Memorial. She said: “Our memorial is very grand. But we have so little to represent our past history and trauma, being grand is fitting as it has so many of us – 450,000 – to support [in] healing.
“Our memorial holds great significance to us. Therefore, when we have important events, we attend our memorial, and have even laid wreaths there."
Full view of Craige Andrae’s memorial. Photo: Kipfler.com.au.
The significance of the artwork is reflected in its grand scale, with the daisies viewable from quite a far distance.
The memorial’s blooming flowers offer the idea of resilience and hope, suggesting that even when people are subjected to dark and cruel environments, recovery and healing is possible. The blooms represent the strength of its survivors and their journey from trauma to healing.
Craige Andrae, pictured in 2021 at Adelaide’s Project 9 exhibition. Photo: Tony Lewis.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
With work shown at London’s Tate Modern, Brisbane’s Institute of Modern Art and the Art Gallery of South Australia, Craige Andrae is a contemporary artist of international renown, practising since 1985.
Through his strong art-based and exhibition background, he founded the design and construction companies, Kipfler and Special Projects Under Development (SPUD) – both of which offer creative and forward-thinking art and design projects.
Craige’s creativity differentiates his work in the space, offering unique perspectives and imaginative ways to showcase an idea, concept and story.
The memorial is one of the stops in our Trail Guide exploring Red Gum Park / Kirrawirra (Park 12).
For more articles in our Know Your Park Lands Art series, head to this page.
Top banner photo: Kipfler.com.au
