Other public statues of women in our city
The statue of Edith Cowan is one of the few public statues of women in our city. Edith Cowan joins the statues of Balbuk Yooreel (Fanny Balbuk) and Bessie Mabel Rischbieth, who stand proudly in the gardens of Government House and Elizabeth Quay respectively.
It was the intention of the artists, Joan Walsh-Smith OAM and Charles Smith OAM, that the statue of Edith is “in conversation” with the statue of the remarkable Balbuk (Fanny Balbuk Yooreel) also created by them. The statue of Bulbuk is located across the road in Government House Gardens, representing “A Moment in Time”.
Born around 1840 at Matagarup, Balbuk was a strong and passionate Whadjuk boordiya yorga (elder, woman), who lived an extraordinary life. Her story is a compelling record of the impact of the new Perth colony on the area’s Traditional Owners and their Aboriginal lands, sites of significance, culture and family life.
The statue of Balbuk was commissioned by former Western Australian Governor Honourable Kim Beazley AC and dedicated in 2022. You can find out more about Balbuk and her statue via the link here.
Other public statues of women in our city
The statue of Bessie Mabel Rischbieth (1874–1967) is by Western Australian artist Jon Tarry.
Bessie Rischbieth was a passionate activist for civil rights and conservation. She is best remembered for her stand against the reclamation of the Swan River to build the Narrows Bridge, captured in an iconic photograph of her protesting at the water’s edge at age 89.
You can find out more about Bessie Rischbieth on the Australian Dictionary of Biography website and details on her statue are available via the link here.
Other public statues by the artists in our city
The Edith Dircksey Cowan statue was created by renowned Western Australian artists Joan Walsh-Smith OAM and Charles Smith OAM. The sculptors have a number of other well-known works in the City of Perth including:
“Kangaroos” (1998) located on St Georges Terrace Perth, adjacent to Stirling Gardens
This artwork was commissioned and jointly funded under the "Perth - A City for People" program by the State Government of Western Australia and the City of Perth.
"Footsteps in Time" (2004) located at 40 - 50 St Georges Terrace Perth
This artwork was commissioned by St Martins Properties Pty Ltd to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Western Australia and symbolises the businessmen who have built the Central Business District. It was inspired by the fact that St. Martins Centre occupies the site of the first businessman`s club of WA.
“Percy Button” (2006) located in the Hay Street Mall
This artwork was commissioned by the City of Perth to commemorate street entertainer Percy Button (1892 - 1954) and to celebrate the spirit of the street.
“Balbuk” (Fanny Balbuk Yooreel) (2022) located in the Gardens of Government
As noted above, this artwork was commissioned by former Western Australian Governor Honourable Kim Beazley AC and dedicated in 2022.