Sorrento cemetery, on the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula, seems to be a mecca for unusual headstones/graves.
Here is a glass headstone for Peter Julian Ryan 1937-1999.
Poetic thoughts are inscribed on the glass and details of Peter are on the actual grave.
He is described as "a loving and generous husband and father.
A great visionary with the courage to achieve his ambitions."
Sadly I can't trace any details of his life.
Here is a close up of the glass feature.
The words inscribed are a little difficult to read, but here are some:
Those who walk the road together
Knowing there is life hereafter
Give universal care and loving
Believing parents with clear vision
See the light of God's mansion...
Then there is this headstone, with no clearly marked grave.
It reads:
Engla Marice Dobree
"Maria"
1912-1997
Sweet as a rose
Creative hands
now in the hands
of the Creator
Again, I cannot trace any life details.
Finally, there is this oddity.
And there is quite a wealth of information on this lady - Sandra Bardas (5.10.1941-27.12.2007)
The Age printed a glowing tribute HERE to her tireless efforts encouraging indigenous Australians to achieve educational success.
(Sandra was awarded an OAM in 2004)
When Sandra died, her husband David discovered boxes of negatives documenting decades of street art - French, Italian, American and Australian street art captured over 40 years of travelling - another of Sandra's passions. For details see The Melbourne Review.
Sandra herself was an artist and co-founded Appleton Street Studios in inner suburban Melbourne at Richmond.
Some of her art may be seen HERE!
In memory of her work, each year a studio space at Appleton is awarded to a young, emerging artist + $5,000 for art materials.
Further, in 1983, she was a founder of Worawa Aboriginal College at Healesville - in the Yarra Valley north of Melbourne.
The school honours her with the Sandra Bardas Art Galley which showcases students' works and the works of their communities.
Creative spirits
A lingering legacy
A life still living
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17 comments:
I fear I must be too much of the old school to find these attractive as grave markers. as pieces of art yes, but they seem a little less reverent than one might expect from a grave.
Very different, I wonder how the glass is going to hold up over time...the mosiac must represent an artist also....,
I enjoy looking at headstones in cemetaries ... especially old ones and unique ones. Interesting tidbits can be found. Thank you for sharing. :)
One does wonder about durability of some of these newer headstones. Some time back there was a photographer who put models in boxes to frame their photos of the human form. Too bad I can't remember the name. Provocative post this week.
You have certainly spotted some oddities. I think the glass headstone is lovely.
Those are some very interesting grave markers. I especially like the mosaic rose one.
Hmmm, I like different, but still I prefer another aesthetic. The story of Sandra is interesting, but I can't warm up to the blobby marker.
These three to my eye, are a refreshing break from the monotony of the modern headstone, which seem to resemble Pete Seeger's 'little boxes'.
I read with interest that Sandra Bardas was the daughter of Victor & Loti Smorgon. She certainly came from privilege, and deserves respect for her undinting efforts to give back to the community in so many ways. I do like her charcoal drawings of figures in boxes. Most complex and provocative.
These are truly unique! Great finds at Sorrento - at first I thought this was Italy! :-)
the glass headstone must be a challenge to keep clean!
I can't warm up to the 'blobby marker' either, as Francisca says.
I've never seen headstones like these before! Not sure what i think really...
Interesting set of headstones. Must be a difficult decision for the cemetery authorities to approve or disapprove of an unusual design. I think there is a trend towards more personalised memorials which could radically alter the future appearance of cemeteries. I like the glass and mozaic, and yes even the modern sculpture
What an interesting post. All three are headstones are beautiful in their own way. Thank you for sharing!
Unique, indeed. Great job.
I'm undecided about the first two, but definitely don't care for the blobby third one. A great story behind the person, though!
i like the first 2. especially the first!
but the third one i find quite ugly..! :)
All three graves were very unusual but #3, Sandra Bardas' was the strangest one of all! I enjoyed reading your interesting and informative post.
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