Murals reinvigorate four City buildings

Murals by local artists have given four City buildings a new lease of life, with artwork painted at Karrinyup Library, Scarborough Community Hub, Mirrabooka Community Hub and Mt Flora Regional Museum.

The murals were commissioned by the City of Stirling to foster a sense of community and place, with each design chosen to reflect the unique character of their location. 

The projects have come at a time when creative industries face a challenging economic climate due to the pandemic, with many local artists reporting to have lost a significant portion of their income.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the murals offered a warm welcome for patrons returning to places of gathering after restricted access to City facilities during COVID-19. 

“These murals are just one example of how our creative industries have, and will continue to, play a key role in supporting and adding value to the City of Stirling community,” Mayor Irwin said. 

“In developing their concepts, the artists were asked to respond to the context, purpose and identity of the buildings and how the community interacts with them. The artists have risen to the challenge in spectacular fashion and I’m sure these magnificent artworks will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.”

Image caption:Coastal Ward Councillors Karen Caddy and Felicity Farrelly with artist Peter Ryan at the new artwork, Fishing for Dreams, in Karrinyup Library

You’re Welcome! By Sioux Tempestt (Mirrabooka Community Hub)

“My aspiration is for the contemporary artwork to connect, inspire and delight. Giving consideration to the diversity of the population within the City of Stirling and more specifically, the users of the Community Hub, I aimed to create a design with the ability to warmly welcome all. 

One aspect with which people of all cultures can relate to is the beauty found within the natural environment. So for the restrained and calming colour palette, I drew inspiration from the unique Western Australian perspective of the sun setting over the sea. The sea is symbolic of all people, of calm, peace and spirituality as well as the link between us and rest of the earth.

The graphic elements and patterns are comprised of the delicately detailed beauty found in Australian flora. The soft curves and overlaid flowing lines seek to playfully entice. These flowing lines, which are recurrent in my work, signify energy and life. Mimicking the curve of the overhead entrance, these lines also link the different architectural planes together. Compositionally, the various shapes aim to achieve balance, echoing the balance we all seek in life.”

- Sioux Tempestt

Forever Young by Jerome Davenport, aka Ketones6000 (Scarborough Community Hub)

“The philosophy behind the concept is connectivity and communication through the generations. The piece connects two people with the simple form of the string telephone used by many in their younger years.

Given the structure is a community space with a library, I thought it was the perfect way to connect the walls and place of learning through this fun and vibrant design. 

The artwork includes the flower of life symbol, which is relevant in a lot of my works. This symbol is the physical representation of the connections that we feel to all living things. It is a sacred symbol found in nearly every culture on the planet and is believed to represent the cycle of growth of a fruit tree, from the seed to a fruit-bearing tree.”

-  Jerome Davenport

Fishing for Dreams by Peter Ryan (Karrinyup Library)

“Fishing for Dreams is a story about connection. It begins with the creativity of a boy hanging ropes up into the trees, which come down throughout the mural to the others, supporting and joining them all together. Imagination, adventure, community, serenity and knowledge; all connecting under the same roof.”

-  Peter Ryan

Swamp to Sea by Brenton See (Mt Flora Regional Museum)

“The Mt Flora Museum is situated in an old water tank between Star Swamp Bushland Reserve and Watermans Bay on the Indian Ocean. This presents an ideal location for a mural which features both the flora and fauna of the swampland and the sea shore. 

The mural will hopefully act as a visually appealing artwork but also as an educational tool to those who venture up to the rooftop of the water tank. By including species such as the Fairy Tern, which is vulnerable in most states, and the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, it is my hope the public will develop a little more knowledge and love for them.

The height of the mural allows children to get up close and see what these species look like and may recognise the flora and fauna in real life when exploring the area.”

-  Brenton See 

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