Unfolding Lives—Perth, Australia.
Posted by: 
Ianatlarge
S 31° 57.000 E 115° 51.708
50J E 392429 N 6464540
This is sculpture of a children's game, designed to be a message of hope for abandoned children.
Waymark Code: WMCMY9
Location: Western Australia, Australia
Date Posted: 09/23/2011
Views: 13
This sculpture is in the shape of a children's game, played with folded paper (there are a sizeable number of names for this device. I will go with origami Finger Game). The outcome of which denotes some future event, based upon which pre-written prediction is revealed by the game. The sculpture is slightly larger than a metre on a side. Text is inscribed both on the game itself and on the base upon which the sculpture sits.
The sculpture resides in the Perth Cultural Centre, which is to the immediate north of the city CBD, outside the main entrance to the WA Museum.
The purpose of the sculpture is to recognise the injustices perpetrated against children raised by foster families. The sculpture was commissioned by both the Australian national government and the Western Australian state government. I am not entirely certain as to which group of children or specific set of circumstances are discussed. It may be the UK children who were brought to Western Australia from the early years of colonisation (mid 19th century) to the 1950s. These children were orphans, those born out of wedlock, abandoned, and thus deemed to be suitable for transportation to become cheap labour, and to increase the population of the colony and state. There is a similar concern with Australian Aboriginal children, but there is no specific mention of this.
from the website:
(
visit link)
The Perth Cultural Centre is home to the State’s first official monument to Western Australia’s Forgotten Australians.
During the last century, more than 56,000 West Australians through no fault of their own found themselves in orphanages, hostels or other out-of-home care. Sadly, in many cases, the care they received fell short in providing a safe and nurturing environment, leaving many with physical and emotional scars.
Created by local artist Judith Forrest, in collaboration with author Terri-ann White, the memorial acknowledges those children who suffered abuse and neglect during their time in State care.