City of Bunbury to proceed with creating sculpture celebrating ‘all women’ despite sexism debate

Bunbury City council will proceed with creating a sculpture as a “tribute to all women” despite councillor concerns the motion required a female artist to complete the works. The motion — brought to the meeting by Cr Cheryl Kozisek — will see the city’s public art acquisition panel identify a female artist to create a sculpture recognising the contribution of women to the area. Cr Kozisek said the artwork would help bring equity which was due. “Now is the time to pay homage to these amazing women who have shaped our communities, kept the home fires burning, birthed us, fed us, loved us, inspired us, often giving up their own career to have a family,” she said. “Let’s share the limelight please, I urge you to help us immortalise women.” The motion was amended multiple times during Tuesday night’s debate, making the location for the sculpture more flexible and giving the council the final say before an artwork was commissioned. One element Cr Kozisek wouldn’t budge on however, was the stipulation a female artist had to be commissioned, despite several councillors taking issue with the point. Cr Karen Turner said she had some of the wording around community input and said she didn’t see why a male artist could not do the work. “I just believe it should be ‘an artist’, I don’t believe it has to be a female artist,” she said. “Why can’t a male artist come up with something wonderful or a concept to empower women, I don’t think that’s fair in any reasoning or concept. “Ideally I would like to take out female and just have artist and for it to come back to the public.” Cr Michelle Steck also raised issues with the gendered wording. “I‘m happy for the motion as it is to go through however, I am conflicted because I do believe that men contribute just as much value to art as women do,” she said. “To slap in the face half of our community and say ‘well only women can do this’, that doesn’t sit well with me.” Cr Kozisek said the intention was not to offend anyone. “My intent is not to slap in the face any fabulous male artists that there are out there, and there are many, many,” she said. “I do feel that as this is a homage to women that it would be really nice that it was a female sculptor, and we have many very talented female sculptors in WA, I just think it would be the appropriate thing to do.” Deputy mayor Tresslyn Smith concurred with her colleague in support of the motion. “I think this would be a historic thing,” she said. “I also think that the men have had a fair go, men have done all the statues, they design all the statues and I think there’s nothing wrong with this motion as it is.” Cr Smith’s comment drew ire from Cr Turner who raised a point of order which was ultimately overruled by mayor Jaysen Miguel. “Do we know men have made all the statues? That’s a bit sexist,” she said. The motion passed — including the gender requirements of the potential artist — seven votes to three with Crs Turner, Steck and Parthasarathy Ramesh voting against the motion, and Cr Gabi Ghasseb was absent.