‘Lamp for Mary’ (2011)

Mary’s Place, Surry Hills 2010

This installation by Sydney artist Mikala Dwyer reclaims space for women and queer people threatened by homophobic violence; specifically, it reclaims a site where an act of violence occurred 14 years earlier. Now a pink lamp lights the laneway (which runs alongside the Beresford Hotel) and a ribbon of text runs along the wall. Developed by poet and anthropology professor Michael Taussig in consultation with the local community, it reads: “This is a lane with a name and a lamp in memory of the woman who survived being beaten and raped here. She happened to be lesbian. When the sun sets this lamp keeps vigil.”