ELK’s wall post gets publicity

Luke Cornish (ELK)’s Welcome To Bondi piece features 24 Border Security Guards and represents the 24 suicides in detention since 2010 – it has certainly been creating waves.

Leon Goltsman, a Liberal councillor on Waverley Council ranted on Facebook and ABC Radio Sydney he wants the mural removed because the area shouldn’t be politicised:

“People come down to the beach, they’re bringing their children, they’re bringing their families. We’ve got tourists. If they want to see this kind of art they go to the gallery, they’ve got the exhibition. They’re not expecting this. Kids are being traumatised.”

But Leon is in the minority – most of the commentators seem to back Luke’s bravery in bringing this issue to the public eye.

Maybe the people who hate the image are struggling with their sense of shame.