New public artwork installed at Yokine Reserve

A new sculptural work created by Perth artist Jean-Marc Rivalland, was recently installed at Yokine Regional Open Space.

The work, Plume, was selected for Yokine Regional Open Space and will provide an opportunity for education about the natural environment while creating a point of visual interest for users of the reserve.

Mr Rivalland said he was inspired by walks around his own local nature reserve and the feathers of birds that are native to the City of Stirling; the red-tailed black cockatoo, white-tailed black cockatoo, new holland honey eater, magpie and white-bellied sea eagle.

“Plume makes reference to my everyday walks, often picking up feathers shed by various birds that inhabit this bushland environment,” he said.

“This work was inspired by these delicate objects that are a component of wings which create flight. These totem-like sculptures take inspiration from the structure of feathers and their varied colours and patterns.”

The sculpture is made of wood planks and welded steel with painted details.

Mr Rivalland has worked as the visual arts teacher at Christ Church Grammar School for the past 10 years. His multi-disciplinary practice responds to the social or natural environments he experiences via a range of mediums, from bronze casting to video and performance works. He has previously been commissioned by the Shire of Roebourne and has exhibited this artwork with Sculpture by the Sea and Sculpture at Bathers Beach.

Mayor Mark Irwin said Plume was another quality addition to the City’s public art collection.

“Investing in public art that celebrates our natural environment is one of the ways in which we are developing public spaces that are unique and meaningful to our community,” Mayor Irwin said.

“We are proud to acquire more artwork into the City’s public art collection that reflects our natural environment, which was a common thread in community feedback when we developed the City of Stirling’s Public Art Masterplan. The location for Plume was determined in consultation with the artist and City officers to find the most suitable location, and I hope users of the Yokine Regional Open Space will enjoy discovering this artwork. It will be the 55th public artwork installed in the City.”