REFLECTION

Martin Place Memorial

Location
Sydney, Australia
Status
Completed 2017
Client
Department of Premier and Cabinet & Infrastructure NSW
Type
Civic & Cultural

Reflection – Memorial Martin Place is an ever-present part of Sydney’s cityscape, embedded into the fabric of the city, just as the events of December 2014 are ingrained into the city’s history.

The inspiration for the permanent memorial is based upon creating a symbolic memory of the floral tribute laid by thousands of people following the Martin Place siege.

The work comprises 210 hand crafted brass powder coated flowers, 12 varieties, 19 colours. Each flower is unique and is housed in a mirrored stainless-steel cube inserted flush with the granite pavement of Martin Place arranged in a random starburst pattern creating a visual field of flowers below the pavement.

This floral tribute, an unexpected, spontaneous and respectful public and private response encapsulated so simply and eloquently all the complex layers of thought and emotion, public and private, related to this tragic event.

Developed in Consultation with the grieving families of the victims, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Infrastructure NSW, Government Architect and the City of Sydney, the character of the memorial was designed to be quiet, respectful and reflective.

Collaboration with artist Jess Dare, who stylistically interpreted the flowers left after the siege including those which were more prolific, those that were first laid and those handpicked.

Creating hand-crafted flowers to emulate this visible, powerful response of the community during this time, ensuring its place as part of Sydney’s memory.

‘Reflection’ is a barely visible public artwork which commemorates the tragic loss of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson. It is a subtle, reflective memorial inspired by the impromptu outpouring of floral tributes by the community that filled Martin Place. Integrated into re-laid granite paving, 210 unique hand-crafted flowers, half depicting sunflowers and the other half hydrangeas, are set inside mirror finish die-cast cases. The public artwork comes together as a beautifully conceived and executed work of architect and artist in public domain.

Lord Mayor’s Commendation
Jury Citation
NSW Architecture Awards 2018

2018
Commendation,
City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Award,
NSW Architecture Awards

2018
Good Design Australia Award
Design Institute of Australia DIA

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JPW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and honours their continuing connection to lands, waters, skies and communities.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging – as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work; and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation on whose land our Studio is located.