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Reconciliation Place

Reconciliation Place, located in the democratic and cultural heart of our nation is a prominent symbol of Reconciliation and its national significance. It forms a pathway linking the High Court of Australia and the National Library of Australia.

The winning design for Reconciliation Place was submitted by the team of Simon Kringas (Canberra Architect), Sharon Payne (Aboriginal Cultural Adviser), Alan Vogt (Exhibition Design Consultant) and Amy Leenders, Agi Calka and Cath Elliot (Architectural assistants). The design included the addition of artworks (slivers), over time reflects the notion of Reconciliation as a process, rather than a singular event.

The artworks that have been installed thus far in Reconciliation Place are made from a variety of materials and carry inscriptions and images on various themes and events significant to Reconciliation.

There are now 16 artworks in total situated throughout Reconciliation Place. Four inaugural artworks were installed during the initial project's construction. These were unveiled on 22 July 2002, when the (then) Hon. John Howard MP, the Prime Minister, officially opened Reconciliation Place. Three artworks, one honouring Indigenous leadership, including Senator Neville Bonner and Vincent Lingiari, and two others acknowledging Separation were unveiled by the (then) Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, on 28 May 2004. Five artworks were unveiled on 5 July 2006 by the (then) Hon Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs. On 28 May 2007, the 40th anniversary of 1967 Referendum, Minister Brough unveiled a further three artworks. On 11 July 2007, Senator Gary Humphries unveiled the Women Artwork in Reconciliation Place on behalf of the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Mal Brough MP.

Reconciliation Place forms an important part of the NCA's efforts to enhance our nations capital. The area around the artworks has been carefully planned by the NCA together with Reconciliation Place advisory committees to provide Australians with access to meaningful spaces within their capital.

For more information on the individual artworks see the pages in Attractions of National Significance in the Visiting section of this website.

Additional artworks are currently under development for Reconciliation Place.