Controversial Hobart statue focus of new city art installation
Franklin Square is home to the statue of former premier William Crowther, whose career became overshadowed by his role in mutilating the remains of an Aboriginal man. Is it time to ditch his statue?
Tasmania
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A CONTROVERSIAL Hobart statue will be at the heart of a new arts project.
Franklin Square is home to the statue of former premier William Crowther who was a 19th century naturalist and surgeon, whose career became overshadowed by his role in mutilating the remains of Tasmanian Aboriginal man William Lanne in the 1860s.
A new project launched by the City of Hobart on Wednesday is aimed at encouraging public conversation and telling a more complete story about the city’s history through a series of art installations.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the project was both in response to the city’s commitment to tell a more complete history of Hobart and to community concerns about Tasmania’s history.
“This has been a conversation the city’s been having for quite some time,” she said.
“The Aboriginal community feel very strongly that this statue represents a very oppressive time in Hobart’s history and they feel that its important that we tell the truth about that history and that we provide a more complete story of what went on with William Crowther and the mutilation of William Lanne’s body.”
The Lord Mayor said she hoped the installation would get people thinking about the city’s past.
“I expect these projects will highlight hidden stories and help the city to have a respectful conversation about our history,” she said.
“The beauty of reflecting on our past is when you realise there’s not just one story, but there are sometimes two or three stories”
Artists will be invited to submit proposals for four temporary artworks to be installed near the statue during the next 12 months. At least two of the four works selected will be by Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
The artworks can focus on any aspect of the statue or Crowther’s actions, and will be installed near the statue in Franklin Square for about two months.
Selection will be undertaken by a City of Hobart advisory panel comprising of representatives from the Aboriginal community and arts organisations.
The works and the community response to them will help inform a permanent response to the statue.
For more information visit the City of Hobart website or follow @creativehobart on Instagram. Submissions close November 20.
What do you think? Is it time to pull down the William Crowther statue in Franklin Square? Join the conversation in the comments below.
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