‘She coulda left’: The powerful artwork exposing the excuses used to minimise domestic violence

Key points

• Artists Philippa Lysaght and Omi McCurdie have created Sweethearts, an artwork on display at Marks Park between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. It features 56 concrete sweetheart lolly sculptures, each carrying one of 20 phrases often used to excuse or shift blame for domestic violence.
• The hearts represent women killed by a current or former partner this year. The pair say they want people to speak up when they hear such excuses.
• Profits from sales of the artworks will be donated to Women's Community Shelters.