Earth without art is just ‘eh’

Or so the saying goes.

Art is an integral part of our lives, whether we know it and appreciate it or not. We absorb it in the media, in our homes, in galleries, even just walking down the street.

Public art, or street art, is one way of bringing art into our everyday lives. It makes art accessible, and inclusive, and makes us think and reflect on its meaning. The real beauty of public art is that it’s often right in front of us, without us even realising it! Mandurah is filled with incredible public art, but not all of it is obvious. Some art is hidden down laneways or appears as murals on the facades of buildings. Some comes in the form of larger-than-life sculptures that are hard to miss – like the wooden Giants, that have their very own trail.

The Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation and the City of Mandurah have created two public art trails for visitors and residents to enjoy. The City Art Trail is a 1.5km trail that includes fifteen artworks. It starts at the Mandurah Visitor Centre, goes through the city centre, and ends on the Eastern Foreshore.

The Marina Art Trail is longer 4.5km walk that showcases eighteen artworks. It also starts at the Visitor Centre, then meanders along Mandurah’s spectacular waterways, including the canals and ocean marina.

https://visitmandurah.com/art-trails/

Image credit: Visit Mandurah

Outside of the trails, there is still plenty of art to discover in Mandurah – you just have to keep looking up (or down!). Many of it is inspired by the unique landscapes of the estuary, the amazing native fauna and flora, and the history of the region.

Public art mural at the City of Mandurah library. Image credit: @juliancla via Instagram

Outside the Mandurah Visitor Centre. Image credit: Visit Mandurah

https://visitmandurah.com/embark-on-mandurahs-amazing-art-walking-trail/

Public art on the Mandurah foreshore. Image credit: Visit Mandurah

Other notable artworks are:

• ‘The Meeting Place’, a helix-shaped sculpture symbolising a water drop, designed by Western Australian artists under the direction of Chris Nixon and Tom Lucey,
• The stained-glass window at the Mandurah Visitor Centre depicting the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent)
• The interactive street art on the Mandurah Bridge featuring a blue manna crab is a lot of fun!

'Meeting Place' on the Western Foreshore. Image credit: https://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/explore/whats-on/news/2021/05/21/meeting-place-artwork

No art trail would be complete without tackling the Giants! Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah is a free outdoor exhibition featuring six towering trolls crafted from recycled scrap wood that celebrate the extraordinary beauty and importance of protecting our natural world, including Mandurah’s globally significant Ramsar-listed wetlands, unique waterways, bushland and wildlife. These trolls are cleverly hidden across the city, inviting visitors on a treasure hunt to uncover the artworks and solve clues leading to the secret sixth troll.

Image credit: https://visitmandurah.com/giants-of-mandurah/

According to the City of Mandurah’s website, the public artworks celebrate the city and its stories. ‘Through an 'open gallery' of 60+ commissioned public artworks, temporary and permanent, we recognise the stories that are unique to our city. Many works are discreet and await discovery by a sharp set of eyes, whilst those of a larger scale can activate a view.’

Public art enriches everyone. So whatever kind of art you enjoy, come to Mandurah and spend a day uncovering the inspiring artistic gems across the city and around the waterways. You’ll be surprised, delighted and intrigued. Don’t forget your camera!

Find out more here: https://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/explore/arts-and-culture/public-art