What will replace Cockburn’s faces?

COMMUNITY members can have their say on what will replace the ‘creepy’ faces at Cockburn Central Station’s tower through a public survey.

The most popular option will replace the long-standing Cockburn faces artworks, which were commissioned during construction of the Mandurah Line and have watched over commuters since the station’s 2007 opening.

They were removed in October this year due to safety concerns surrounding their deteriorating condition.

The artwork, titled Faces of the Community (2006), was created by artists Marco Marcon and Rodney Glick, who used specialist software to merge digital photographic portraits of more than 200 local residents.

The four options available are the installation of an analogue clock, digital advertising screens, a new piece of artwork or replacing the original Cockburn faces.

To complete the survey, click here. The survey will close on January 2, 2020.

“The Cockburn Station tower is seen by thousands of people a day, whether it’s from the freeway, the train or visitors to Cockburn Central, so whatever its new face will be we want to make sure it’s appealing and fun,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

“One of the main ideas behind public art is that it stimulates public debate, and the Cockburn faces have definitely been a polarising piece of artwork since their installation.

“Many people have an opinion about what they think should go up there, and now is their chance to be part of the conversation.

“I look forward to the community embracing this opportunity to be involved in this process.”

Cockburn MLA Fran Logan said the ‘faces’ did not always prompt positive discussion.

“As the local member for Cockburn for nearly two decades, I would say the ‘faces of Cockburn’ has probably been one of the most talked about topics in the electorate,” he said.

“Everybody always asks: ‘What are those faces for? Are they people who are missing?’.

“As pieces of art, the faces certainly got people talking, but perhaps not so positively.

“It’s great that we now have an opportunity to put in place something that will be pleasing to the eye and practical.”