Introduction
On this land stood St Vincent’s Boys’ Home from 1896 to 1985. 'All Our Boys’ tells the story of the boys of the Home, who were the life and essence of the site.
The artwork looks back at the boy’s lives and reflects their story to the present and future times.
Project
All Our Boys
Client
Deicorp Construction Pty Ltd
Date
2016 - Ongoing
Location
Highline, Parramatta, NSW
Indigenous Country
Burramattagal - Dharug Nation
GFA
9,389 sqm
'All Our Boys' is a site-specific piece of public art, located at the entrance to the Highline Development in Westmead.
Highline sits opposite 2 items of local heritage significance: the University of Western Sydney and the Victorian Residence. The buildings formed part of the St Vincent’s Boys’ Home that occupied the site from 1896 to 1985.
The artwork tells the story of the boys, who were the life and essence of the site. The artwork looks back at their lives and reflects their story to the present and future times.
This is a transformation of the traditional, suburban gate and fence, beyond its practical purpose and without ceasing visual permeability.
On closer inspection of the work is a meandering row of 87 glistening individual structural pillars, each one strong, bold and unique.
Inspiration
The Home undertook the traditional industrial trade of printing and bookbinding. Printing was not a one machine process like it is today.
Each boy had a unique task in the printing process, cutting, binding or pressing. Without one, the printing process would not function.
The unique form of the artwork, mimicking sheets of paper, is a reference to the home’s history. Much like the boys, the pillars seamlessly work together to form a beautiful whole.
The repetition of these mirror finish, aluminium sheets represent the significance of both individuality and unity in the process.
Awards
All Our Boy - Better Future Sydney Design Award
Result: Silver
Year: 2022
All Our Boys - AGDA
Result: Finalist
Year: 2022