Sculpture by the Sea memorial shows 2026 was deadlier than average for women
Two artists hand-polished more than 52 concrete hearts to represent women killed by partners this year, more than the historical average.
Two friends have created a striking sculpture for this year's Sculpture by the Sea: dozens of hand-polished concrete hearts etched with phrases that minimise or excuse domestic violence. The work, called Sweethearts, stands at Marks Park between Bondi and Tamarama beaches.
Originally the artists planned to make 52 hearts, the average number of Australian women killed by current or former partners each year. Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie realised 2026 had been worse than usual as they worked.
"We didn't want to under-represent the issue," said artist Philippa Lysaght. Each heart carries phrases so familiar they should make viewers uncomfortable.
After the exhibition, the hearts will be sold with proceeds going to Women's Community Shelters. The show expects about 400,000 visitors.
- 52 per year
- Historical average women killed by
- More than 52
- Hearts created
- Marks Park, Bondi-Tamarama
- Exhibition location
- 400,000
- Expected visitors
Why it mattersThe sculpture puts a concrete, visible number on a quiet tragedy affecting Australian women.
AustraliaThe work reaches hundreds of thousands of Australians at one of the country's biggest outdoor art events, raising awareness of domestic violence in a way statistics alone cannot.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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