WA: Ledger's memory set in stone in riverside park

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2009
WA: Ledger's memory set in stone in riverside park

PERTH, Feb 19 AAP - Heath Ledger's love of chess has been set in stone at a park on
Perth's Swan River, where he played as a child.

Ledger's family have given the City of Melville, in Perth's southern suburbs, a polished
concrete and marble sculpture in memory of the late actor, comprising two chess boards
and a yin and yang symbol.

Ledger's mother Sally Bell said the family had chosen the site at Heathcote Reserve,
overlooking the Swan River, because her son had cared about the environment and spent
much of his youth in the Applecross area.

Ms Bell said he often walked to the park with his friends.

"He truly loved it there," she said in a statement issued through the City of Melville.

"As far as the artwork is concerned, we feel it is in no way offensive to anyone and
blends harmoniously into the surrounding environment.

"As for the chess theme, not many people know that Heath was passionate about chess
and was close to becoming a Grand Master."

The sculptor Ron Gombac said the yin and yang design reflected Heath's spiritual beliefs.

Father Kim Ledger said Heath's friends and family now had a place to visit that was
imbued with his presence.

"People who visit the site can remember him by using and enjoying the tables, as he
would want them to," Mr Ledger said.

"We didn't choose anything elaborate as Heath wouldn't have liked that.

"He liked subtlety and was very laidback but extremely aware of who he was."

Visitors can use the sculpture to play chess as they take in views of the river and city.

The work was installed on Saturday.

Ledger's family flew from Perth bound for Los Angeles on Wednesday to attend the Oscars
and spend time with his daughter Matilda.

The Perth-born actor is widely tipped to take out the best supporting actor award for
his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight, the last film he completed before his death.

Ledger was working on The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus when he died, aged 28, on January
22 last year in his rented Manhattan loft apartment after consuming a deadly cocktail
of prescription painkillers and sleeping pills.

His death was declared an accidental overdose.

AAP ah/jl

KEYWORD: LEDGER SCULPTURE

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