Massive artworks inspire
“Reflections” at Collie
The colossal mural nearing completion on the Wellington Dam wall is thought likely to be the largest of its type in the world. It has been inspired by local stories and photographs and, unsurprisingly, it is already proving to be a major tourist draw.
Internationally renowned Australian artist Guido van Helten is the lead artist for the 8000sqm mega-mural which was officially unveiled by WA Premier the Hon Mark McGowan MLA on 19 February.
The mural is titled “Reflections”. It demonstrates how the waterways are culturally significant to all people, locals and visitors, both in the past and present and symbolises the future of the Collie River Region as a place of natural beauty, recreation and solidarity.
Guido Van Helten’s mural on the Wellington Dam wall in Collie | credit: ABC South West: Anthony Pancia
The painting of the wall has been a monumental task, with people abseiling to clean the wall, building a specially designed scaffolding platform to paint it, and the design drawn and mapped onto a grid to help the artist translate his design from concept to a scaled mega mural.
Alongside the Wellington Dam Mural, fifteen Western Australian artists were selected to paint the town murals in Collie with their designs including references to the history of Collie, Aboriginal culture and the natural environment.
Birdlife celebrated in Wungong mural
Thousands of people visit the Water Corporation’s dams around Perth each week to enjoy the scenery, walking trails and picnic spots. Those who visit Wungong Dam will be treated to a new mural which has transformed a viewing platform popular with bird watchers.
Local birdlife is the inspiration for this commissioned work by Fremantle based artist Brenton See. Species featured include the Australian Wood Duck, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Nankeen Night Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Australian Shelduck, Australasian Swamphen and Sacred Kingfisher.
Celebrating birdlife at Wungong Dam | credit: Water Corporation
Brenton believes it is important to use his work as an artist to help educate the public on the local wildlife. “The more people know about their surroundings, the more I hope they will care for the environment,” he said.
“The bushland area surrounding this dam is the perfect habitat for many species and they all rely on the water here to survive. Having a permanent water source like this is essential to the survival of the wildlife we live alongside.”
Just 10 kilometres outside Armadale, Wungong Dam is a favourite picnic destination with free gas barbecues, recreation lake and public toilets. Open every day of the week until 6pm, it has been a water source for Perth for more than 70 years.
