"World within, world without" is a mosaic work that site low to the ground, taking over a space on the grassed area between the Yarra River and the Southbank Promenade in central Melbourne. Funded by federal and state governments and the City of Melbourne, the work serves as a memorial to the Forgotten Australians: people who spent time in state care (including privately run institutions) during the 20th Century.
Rather than trying to directly depict the experiences of care leavers, artist Helen Bodycomb has instead taken as her starting point the moment of the Prime Minister’s apology, 11am on 16 Nov 2009. On a large black granite slab, low to the ground, a pattern of coloured ‘blossoms’ reflects the constellations of stars that were above Victoria at that moment. According to the inscription, each star/blossom represents 100 children who spent time in care. The inscription also, simply, states: “Many were frightened, abused and neglected.”
The artwork connects with a moment that might be seen as one of healing, and at the same time it gives representation to the scale of the tragedy.
The mosaic is housed within grey rock, and sits less than a metre above ground. Covered by the dust of the city, it doesn’t reflect the light as much you might expect, but is the perfect height for small visitors exploring the area while their carers enjoy a coffee at one of the many nearby cafes.
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This website is part of a PhD research project undertaken through the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Public History. To find out more visit the ABOUT page.
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