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A symbolic sandstone marker for those lost to AIDS sits among thousands of trees planted by the LGBTIQA+ community in their memory.
Artist: Simon Shaw
Artwork description
In 1994 South Sydney City Council began collaborating with the Sydney Park AIDS Memorial Group (SPAIDS) to plant a grove of Australian native trees in Sydney Park, St Peters, as a permanent memorial to people lost to AIDS.
The grove now numbers several thousand trees, planted in a series of public plantings by members of the local and LGBTIQA+ communities. It provides a contemplative place of respect and remembrance, where people can go to grieve for lost loved ones, or simply sit and relax in the peace and tranquillity of the park.
In 1999 a dedicated reflection space was created within the park, as a focal point and gathering place for memorial and community events. In the centre of an area landscaped with paving, seating and formal planting stands the SPAIDS Memorial, a simple, symbolic marker and passive lookout area.
The sandstone memorial stands within this calm open space, partially surrounded by a low seating wall made from recycled bricks rescued from old kilns.
The memorial grove and SPAIDS Memorial are well recognised by members of the LGBTIQA+ community as a place of reflection, remembrance and beauty.
