Unidentified Photographer Statue

Public Art: Unidentified Photographer

Sculptors: © Anne Neil in collaboration with Greg James.

Date: 1996

Description: The life size bronze figure of the young and modern "Unidentified Photographer" is holding a Box Brownie camera and photographic plates whilst his Gladstone bag at his feet contains various trade tools symbolic of all the professionals who once worked on the Terrace.

Location: Top of St George's Terrace (near Barrack Arch), Perth, Western Australia.

Commissioned By: Unknown

History: I would like to think that the statue of the unidentified photographer, with his Box Brownie pointing towards the Barracks Arch, was deliberately designed to make a point about Western Australia's deminishing historical landmarks. For those unfamiliar with Perth's history let me give you a quick run down. When John Septimus Roe (Surveyor General) laid out the first initial plans for Perth in 1829, he envisiaged St George's Terrace as being the main street of the colony, being idyllic located near the Swan River foreshore. The street would in time feature some of the city's grandest commercial buildings, but over the years they have gradually been replaced with skyscrapers and highrises. So I guess the only way to remember the St George's Terrace history is through old photographs.

Interestingly the Unidentified Photographer's camera points in the direction of where the Pensioner's Barracks once stood. The Pensioner's Barrack was built in 1863 by the British Imperial Establishment and the Public Works Department of the Western Australia Colonial Government. The original design of the barracks was by Captain E.M. Grain and James Manning and included wings extending either side of the arch. The wings consisted of a 120 rooms. The magnificent structure which once stood proudly in this location was demolished in 1966 to make way for the Mitchell Freeway and give the newly built Parliament House a clear view down St George's Terrace. Needless to say the public were outraged. Despite protests the only piece of architecture left standing was the Barracks Arch, which now stands quite lonely at the top of the Terrace. C.Y.O'Connor (the great engineer) had his office in the room immediately above the arch and it was from there that the Goldfields Water Supply was planned.

Other Works of Anne Neil :

              Animals Sculpture                      Shovels Sculpture

The Arbour Sculpture   

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