Redfern's bird sculpture hatches angry response

Bower, by artists Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse, was unveiled at the corner of Regent and Redfern streets in August.

The spiky sculpture, featuring a cluster of metal sticks jutting out of the ground, has drawn an aggressive reaction from residents, who cannot forget how Thomas "T.J." Hickey died nearby - impaled on a steel fence.

Five years ago, the Aboriginal teenager's death was a catalyst for a race riot in the inner-city suburb. Many in the community believed police had chased the boy to his death, but the NSW State Coroner found they did not help cause his death.

The public's feelings about the artwork were sought as part of an exhibition about Redfern. Flyers asked: "What is your opinion of this sculpture? Why do you think it was placed in this neighbourhood?"

One person wrote: "It's horrible. It looks as if someone is about to be impaled upon it. Or like needles."

"Very ugly. Reminds me of what hurt T.J. Hickey. Very poor choice," wrote another. "I feel this area needs healing, harmonious sculptures which are inclusive of all in the area, particularly the indigenous population."

Some comments were positive, others whimsical. "Redfern is quite simply not a habitat that would support bowerbirds … just ask any ibis."

Brett Bloom from Temporary Services, a Chicago group that conducted the survey, said the project was designed to create discussion about a place with a contested history: "Sculptures like that are done in a very bureaucratic way, without much public consultation, when the public clearly has a lot to say."

Stonehouse said there was extensive community consultation."If you put something on the street and say 'What do you think?' people with their own baggage and angers and frustrations will comment like that," he said.

Despite disagreeing with the method, he said welcomed the discourse. "And some of the responses were really fantastic and witty." The responses can be viewed at an exhibition, There Goes The Neighbourhood, at CarriageWorks until June 27.

Source: www.smh.com.au/national/redferns-bird-sculpture-hatches-angry-response-20090527-bnpa.html