A debate has erupted between a community advocacy group and the City of Perth after it was revealed that a significant local art piece is being held in storage rather than being on display.
Joseph Cassidy
Perth Now
7 May 2025
The History Council of WA and the National Trust's WA branch have both issued letters supporting the campaign to restore the Ore Obelisk and Lorenna Grant's The Arch-and questioning the City of Perth's handling of the controversial art swap.
The Perth Voice
26 April 2025
Most West Australians will know the iconic ‘Ore Obelisk’ artwork from Stirling Gardens.
As the newly elected Minister for Creative Industries we must preserve significant public artwork - as it forms part of WA’s rich layers of arts heritage.
In short: these things help us tell the story of who we are.
The Hon Simone McGurk MLA
Minister for Creative Industries
25 March 2025
“It’s disgraceful that our city’s cultural heritage is being quietly erased and replaced with imported art that serves largely to promote the foreign artist
who gifted it,” wrote Ms Curtis.
Meleva Thorn
WAMN News Online
12 March 2025
THE controversial Boonji Spaceman is expected to be installed by July, leaving the future of the “Kebab” sculpture murky.
The Fremantle Herald
Eloise Budimlich
17 April 2025
Council criticised over plan to replace beloved public artwork with 7-metre tall effigy of spaceman created by a former Wall Street trader.
The Guardian Australia
Kelly Burke
12 April 2025
After confronting City of Perth Councillors about the installation of a controversial public art acquisition, local artists are far from satisfied with the Council's response.
Arts Hub
Jo Pickup
9 April 2025
In brief, the Council is on the verge of dumping a popular 50-year-old work of public art by a Perth sculptor and officeholder, in favour of a factory-produced multiple by a self-styled American super salesman.
Everything the artworld doesn't want you to know
John McDonald
29 March 2025
A Perth artist is shocked her public work which once stood in the city’s premier nightlife district has been stored in the open in a North Coogee industrial lot.
WA Today
Mark Naglazas
27 March 2025
Perth City Council’s upcoming installation of a ‘Boonji Spaceman’ sculpture by an international celebrity artist has raised questions about how well the Council is adhering to its own public art policy.
Arts Hub
Jo Pickup
25 March 2025
Two weeks before the Ore Obelisk was due to celebrate its 50th birthday, a team of workers armed with oxy torches and orders from the City of Perth marched into Stirling Gardens beside Council House and sliced and diced “the Kebab” (as it was affectionately known).
No cake and candles, no many happy returns. Just a trip to the city depot.
WA Today, The Age, Brisbane Times
Mark Naglazas
24 March 2025
A RENOWNED WA artist says she was shocked to discover Perth council agreeing to spend $250,000 on a US sculptor’s work a fortnight after telling her there was no money to repair her much-loved installation The Arch in Northbridge.
The Perth Voice
Eloise Budimlich
21 April 2025
The Save the Kebab campaign has gone national with a broadcast on ABC News with Joe O’Brien.
We believe the City of Perth will honour the overwhelming community support and take the right steps to restore The Obelisk and The Arch, preserving our shared heritage for future generations.
ABC National News
Joe O’Brien
14 March 2025
A WHO’S who of Perth’s art scene has banded together to try and convince Perth council to repair the iconic Ore Obelisk statue and not put a gifted US artist’s work in its place.
The Perth Voice
Steve Grant
15 March 2025
Members of Perth's arts community are asking why beloved local sculptures have been placed in storage indefinitely while City of Perth spends money installing a new piece from a US artist.
ABC News
Ashleigh Davis, Kate Leaver, and Joanna Trilling
13 March 2025
The Perth arts community wants an iconic public art piece brought back to life.
The Ore Obelisk, known colloquially as the 'kebab', was created by City of Perth town planner Paul Ritter and used to stand next to Council House in the Stirling Gardens.
ABC Radio 720 Perth
Jo Trilling
11 March 2025
Copyright © 2025 Save the Kebab - All Rights Reserved.
Photos by Frances Andrijich - courtesy of the Perth Public Art Foundation
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