Released 20/08/2022
The ACT Government is inviting Expressions of Interest to create a public artwork to commemorate the life of the Hon. Susan Ryan AO. The Government is encouraging suitably qualified individuals to apply and has committed $200,000 to facilitate this proposed landmark artwork.
Susan dedicated her life to public service through many different roles, both in public office as a senator for the ACT and minister in the Hawke government, as well as in senior roles across in the private and public sector.
Susan’s distinguished career included many firsts. She was the first Senator for the Australian Capital Territory. The first woman appointed to a Labor frontbench position. The first Age Discrimination Commissioner.
Susan made a significant contribution to the advancement of women through her ministerial office roles and her role in the creation of the Sex Discrimination Act – a significant and enduring reform that changed Australia.
Susan Ryan will be remembered as a woman who led the way while also building a path for many more to follow.
Growing Canberra’s impressive public art to capture the diversity of human identity and experience has been identified as a priority when expanding our collection.
The same diversity should also be reflected in the artists and creatives commissioned to make our art. In particular, women and Traditional Custodians should hold pride of place in future works, both as subjects and creators.
In 2021 the Member for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr presented a petition from Jasiri Australia regarding statues of women in the territory to the Legislative Assembly.
In the 2021-22 Budget, the ACT Government committed $200,000 to commission a public artwork by a female or non-binary artist to celebrate a significant woman and help address this imbalance in gender representation.
In line with the ACT Government Public Art Guidelines, the commissioning procurement process will open soon. artsACT will be advertising for Expressions of Interest for this project in the coming weeks. For further information on this commission, please email artsact@act.gov.au to be included on the mailing list to receive the Request for Expression of Interest documentation.
Quotes attributable to Justine Butler on behalf of Susan Ryan’s family:
We are proud that our mother Susan will be memorialised in this way.
Today the phrase ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ is used often to talk about the importance of diversity. That may well ring true for some, but Susan certainly didn’t see anyone around her who was a female politician, senator, or cabinet minister. She did believe in herself, and her ability and she believed that women could do anything they put their minds to. It is in this spirit we hope people are inspired by her.
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases