ACT MEMORIAL - Commission

This memorial has been designed to honour those men and woman from the Canberra region who have served during conflicts and on peace keeping missions throughout the world.

Artist Statement

Concept

War and most war-like conflicts are usually concerned with land and territory, in the most literal sense, and for this reason we have chosen to use the earth itself to create a monument which is at once discreet yet monumental.

Our Veterans’ Monument intentionally eschews the popular ‘beacon-like’ approach to memorials, in favour of a form which gently rises from the earth, is of the earth and feels integrated and in harmony with the site. From that point of view this memorial is rather subtle yet on the level of scale it becomes grand. Measuring approximately 18.8 metres long by 16 metres wide by 2 metres high the sculptural form of the memorial has a width and breadth which suggest importance.

The shape and form of this design provides the public an opportunity to contemplate the meaning of the memorial itself in a peaceful, tranquil setting. Its large, flowing outline means they can explore its parameters and its hidden internal void by walking around it and following its contours.

Inherent within its sculptural shape are two identifiable symbols.  The most obvious and commanding symbol is that of the spiral. The less overt symbol, formed more from the positive and negative shapes of the spiral is an adaptation of the yin and yang sign. These two symbols have been melded together to create a cohesive, singular sculptural form whose archetypal symbolic meaning (in particular the spiral) resonates to all people of all cultural backgrounds. Where the spiral represents continuity and regeneration, the yin and yang symbol represents harmony and balance. One could say that an outcome of harmony and balance could be an objective behind any war or peace keeping mission and continuity and regeneration could be fitting reasons for people serving their country in zones of conflict.