CROWTHER STATUE: UTAS Professor suggests new home for controversial statue

There’s been a storm of controversy around the statue of William Crowther, and one UTAS Professor believes he has a solution. HIS IDEA FOR THE CROWTHER STATUE>>

The controversial statue of former Premier and defiler of human remains, William Crowther, could be moved to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, a university academic has suggested, as the council considers removing it from its pedestal.

University of Tasmania pro vice chancellor, Aboriginal leadership Gregory Lehman said the decision needed to reflect the changing attitudes of people in Hobart.

“We’ve lived in the shadow of our colonial past for too long, we need to create some space outside of that, some alternative ways of thinking,” Prof. Lehman said.

“That involves challenging some of the values and some of the people that might have been considered heroes at the time and exposing the fact their stories are a lot more complicated than that.

“Putting that whole picture requires that this man can no longer be sitting there as a colonial hero.”

Prof. Lehman, who used was once the chair of TMAG’s Aboriginal advisory council, said moving the statue would allow more context to be included.

Professor Greg Lehman of UTAS at the William Crowther statue in Franklin Square Hobart. He believes the statue should be moved to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“At the moment according to his statue, he’s an ex-Premier, that’s the reason why the statue was erected,” he said.

“The erection of the statue ignored the fact that he was publicly disgraced and caused a huge scandal which led to him to be removed from his position in the hospital and reprimanded in the Tasmanian parliament for the desecration of William Lanne’s remains.”

“We have to put the complete picture together, at the moment, the statue only represents a part of the picture of Crowther.”

Prof. Lehman said many seemed to be under the impression removing the statue would mean it would completely disappear.

“I think symbolically relocating the statue makes it very clear we’re not about making difficult histories disappear,” Prof. Lehman said.

“It’s about recognising our way of understanding history and our values change over time.

“My feeling is the public would prefer this as an opportunity for us to do something more creative with our history.”

Prof. Lehman said the discussion would need to begin with TMAG.

“I don’t want to assume TMAG is waiting for this thing to be delivered to their front door but I’d like to think that a conversation with TMAG might create some opportunities,” he said.

The Hobart City Council’s culture and events committee recommended last week that the statue be removed, but the decision lies with the full council, which will meet on Monday.

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