Onward!Onward!
Artist Marcus Canning's deep connection to Western Australia's history is woven into his new public artwork, Onward! Onward!, located at Cathedral Square in Perth. With family roots tracing back to his great-great uncle Alfred Canning—a renowned surveyor whose name marks landmarks like the Canning River, Canning Bridge, and Canning Highway—Marcus brings a personal and historical perspective to this meaningful installation.
Onward! Onward! invites visitors to explore Western Australia's rich Indigenous heritage in a unique and engaging way. The artwork features 256 granite pavers, each intricately etched with English and Noongar words and phrases. This bilingual design encourages reflection, connection, and conversation as people walk across the square.
Through this blend of language, art, and place, Marcus Canning offers a gentle prompt to discover and appreciate the stories of the land's First Peoples—stories that often go unnoticed in everyday city life. It's a subtle but powerful celebration of cultural resilience and shared history.
Whether you're passing through or pausing to reflect, Onward! Onward! creates an accessible path to understanding, inviting all visitors to engage with the spirit of Western Australia in a fresh and meaningful way.
