Mary’s Place artwork finished

The City of Sydney has put the finishing touches to the “Lamp for Mary” art installation in Mary’s Place, off Bourke Street in Surry Hills, marking where a woman named Mary was brutally assaulted 15 years ago.

A street lamp, designed by Sydney artist Mikala Dwyer, was installed in the lane in October last year.

However a text component developed by poet Professor Michael Taussig in consultation with members of the local community will now be installed, completing the work.

The text reads, “This is a lane with a name and a lamp in memory of the woman who survived being beaten and raped here.

“She happened to be lesbian. When the sun sets this lamp keeps vigil along with you who read this in silent meditation.”

A plaque expressing community desire for action against homophobic violence will also be added to the site.

“Violence against women is a crime that sadly happens far too often in our society,” Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “This important artwork pays tribute to all women who have experienced violence.”

“As it watches over Mary’s Place, it lights the way forward for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities in Sydney, and all across the world.”

Flood Lane was renamed Mary’s Place and an artwork installed on the road surface in February of 1997 – one year after the brutal assault.

However the artwork was destroyed during nearby building works and after a community campaign seeking to restore the site, the City of Sydney invited artists to submit proposals for a replacement artwork for the laneway.

Dwyer said the artwork celebrated the power of survival.

“It just seemed liked the necessary thing to do as a gesture to protect, heal, warn and also celebrate the power of survival in Mary,” Dwyer said.

The artwork and accompanying text were approved by the City’s Public Art Advisory Panel – an independent panel of artists, architects and curators.