The Obelisk and Council House are intrinsically linked, both representing a bold vision for Perth’s modern identity in the late 20th Century.
Designed by Paul Ritter and installed in 1971, The Obelisk was commissioned to mark Western Australia’s one-millionth resident, serving as a symbol of the state’s economic strength and rich geological heritage. Its placement in Stirling Gardens, directly adjacent to Council House, reinforced its role as a civic landmark, physically and conceptually tied to the seat of local government.
Council House itself, completed in 1963, was a radical architectural statement of its time - a modernist glass and steel structure that embodied a progressive, forward-looking Perth. The Obelisk complemented this ethos, celebrating Western Australia’s resources and prosperity at a time when the mining industry was booming and reshaping the state’s economy.
The artwork’s vertical layers of ore, sourced from across Western Australia, visually represented the very materials that built the state’s wealth - standing as a civic tribute to the industry that fuelled Perth’s growth.
Together, Council House and The Obelisk told a story of Perth’s ambition, innovation, and confidence on the global stage.
The Obelisk’s removal in 2021 severed a vital connection between the city’s architectural and industrial heritage. Rather than being reinstated, it has been sidelined, while a commercially produced, editioned sculpture with no local relevance - Boonji Spaceman - is being prioritised.
“This isn’t about rejecting new art—it’s about respecting and preserving the art that tells Perth’s story,” says Helen Curtis spokesperson for #SaveTheKebab. “Boonji Spaceman is not unique to our city. The Obelisk is. The artwork that has real significance to our capital city is being quietly erased. We call on the City of Perth to immediately commit to reinstating The Obelisk and to stop prioritising imported spectacle over Perth’s own cultural legacy. The community deserves transparency, accountability, and a public art strategy that values our history, our artists, and our city.”
If Council House is a monument to civic progress, then The Obelisk was its cultural counterpart - a symbol of Perth’s unique identity, rooted in its land and history.
Restoring the Ore Obelisk is not just about reinstating an artwork; it’s about preserving the deep connection between place, industry, and civic pride.
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