Urban Arts Square

Mary Perrott Stimson Corner of Bridge Road and Hoddle Street, RichmondMother and Daughter was commissioned by the City of Richmond in 1993 as part of an Urban Arts Square project, which was part of a broader landscaping upgrade for the site.

The land, formerly part of the historic cable tram depot and an electric substation, was repurposed after the buildings were demolished for the Punt Road widening project and subsequently gifted to the local municipality of Richmond.

This two-dimensional bronze sculpture, set against a rendered wall, depicts two hybrid figures. Recently restored by Meridian Sculpture, the plaque accompanying the artwork states:”Mother and daughter walk proudly through history from the caves of ancient Africa across continents, oceans and deserts into Richmond.

“The sculpture is both tender and intimate, yet strong and elegant. The artist aimed to bridge the abstract and figurative, linearity with depth, the past with the present, and boldness with fragility. The figures traverse rock-like waves, symbolising the journey through successive generations. Markings on the mother represent the wisdom, knowledge, and culture passed down from mothers and grandmothers to their daughters, an unbroken stream from the dawn of time.

Mary Perrott Stimson has created numerous public artworks across Australia and internationally.