Drops of anguish set in stone
In February, the Australian War Memorial dedicated a new, contemporary artwork in its grounds to represent the “blood, sweat and tears” shed by those in service and their families. For Every Drop Shed in Anguish, by artist Alex Seton, is made up of 18 unique droplets of marble, some weighing up to 3,000 kilograms.
The Memorial commissioned the artwork in consultation with veterans and families who have experienced or witnessed service-related trauma. Project Manager and Senior Curator of Art, Anthea Gunn, said the artwork captures the complexities of suffering.
‘This is a different way of recognising the true cost of service,’ Dr Gunn said. ‘Instead of a traditional heroic sculpture, this is a contemporary abstract work (or installation) that creates a place for people to engage through art with the lived experience of service.
‘It is a public acknowledgement and point of connection to all who have suffered as a consequence of service. The colours and crystals that form the marble represent the scars so many live with every day, but show them as something beautiful, a symbol of resilience.’
Alex Seton is also featured inside the Memorial’s galleries with his 47 marble depictions of folded Australian flags. The As of Today… sculptures commemorate all Australian soldiers who lost their lives as a result of service in Operation Slipper in Afghanistan.
‘For Every Drop Shed in Anguish is a field of marble droplets on the lawns of the Australian War Memorial,’ Mr Seton said. ‘These rounded and abstracted liquid forms represent every drop of blood, sweat and tears ever shed by Australian military personnel and their families.
‘I chose the dewdrop form for its fragility and tension. Every droplet has a particular shape, defined by its delicate surface tension, as if about to burst. But most importantly, when touched, these forms reveal themselves to have an inner strength and resilience that I hope can provide a promise of hope and healing.’
Ben Farinazzo, who suffered as result of his service in East Timor, was part of the stakeholder committee advising the Australian War Memorial during this project. ‘This sculpture honours the strength of our veteran community, while acknowledging those who have suffered physical and psychological wounds, and sadly those who have taken their own lives as a result of service,’ he said.
Image: Sculptor Alex Seton and guests at the dedication of For Every Drop Shed in Anguish