New artwork hatches at Jackadder Lake Reserve

A new public artwork which depicts a hatchling and the shells of long-neck turtles that live in and around Jackadder Lake has been unveiled by the City of Stirling this week.

Titled “Nest” by artist Jina Lee, the artwork’s two large shells are made of local granite, with the nest of eggs sculpted from white Donnybrook sandstone.

Breeding season for the long-neck turtles (also known as Chelodina colliei or oblong turtles) occurs within the wetland during winter and spring. Nesting then takes place in two distinct seasons between September and January, making this December’s public art reveal a timely and educational initiative.

As well as having won numerous Sculpture by the Sea awards, Jina Lee’s specialty in stone sculpture has led to her work being featured worldwide in South Korea, Japan, Albania, Italy and Australia. She was born in 1984 in South Korea and immigrated to Australia in 2013, after studying at the Kaywon School of Arts and Kookmin University, South Korea.

Mayor Mark Irwin joined local Councillors Stephanie Proud JP and Elizabeth Re for the unveiling this week, and said the installation was a reflection of the City’s commitment to public art.

“The development of a vibrant artistic community and installation of public art in the City of Stirling is one of our key priorities as reflected in our Public Art Masterplan 2021-2025,” he said.

“Local government is uniquely placed to provide opportunities for, and support the delivery of, public art in its community because of how it can contribute to local economic development, tourism, placemaking, community development and streetscape improvements.

“In our public consultations and development of the masterplan, the natural environment which was the most popular curatorial theme, resonated with 66 per cent of consultation respondents.

“Investing in local public art that celebrates our natural environment is one of the ways in which we are developing public spaces that are meaningful to our community and aligned to our long-term vision.”

“Nest” now joins recent public artworks in the natural environment theme, alongside “Plume” at Yokine Reserve and “Araa” and “Ember” at Hamer Park and Inglewood Oval.”

Key findings outlined by the City’s masterplan under which this artwork was commissioned included that:

• Public art is a tool to create great places
• The best public art is specific to a place and memorable
• Public art should be appropriate to the local context and accessible
• Local cultures should be represented in our public art
• The community are enthusiastic about engaging with art and artists.

The City has also partnered with Murdoch University to help conserve declining southwestern snake-necked turtle populations in the area via the Saving Our Snake-Necked Turtle (SOSNT) project.