Public Art

Transmission box murals

Pictured left-to-right:

• Warwick Park by Mel McVee (2023). Corner of Walpole and Warwick streets, Bentley.
• Chapman Park by Brenton See (2023). Corner of Ashburton St and Chapman Road, Bentley.
• Dumond Park by Mel McVee (2023). Corner of Dumond and Walpole streets, Bentley.

Clifton Park mural

Artists: Brenton See and Mel McVee (2009)
Location: Clifton Park, Clifton Rd, Canning Vale.

Each flower featured in the mural depicts those found in the surrounding bushland, with the aim of encouraging people to go and seek the beauty that exists on their doorstep.

A total of 25 flora and fauna species including a western grey kangaroo, cockatoos, an egret and a boobook owl are on display, alongside golden wreath wattles, swamp tea tree, gorgeous blue lady and cowslip orchids. There are even four small native insect species hidden in the mural to encourage exploration and discovery.

Wharf Street Basin mural

Artists: J. D Penangke and Brenton See (2020)
Location: Wharf Street, Cannington.

This artwork blends Aboriginal art and Western Australian flora and fauna to pay homage to water as a source of life.

As seasons changed, Whadjuk Noongar people followed water as a source of life. Travelling across land, their journeys started and ended in the same place. The change of seasons and movement of water is also important for the lifecycle of animals and plants that live in and around water.

More information about Wharf Street Basin.

The Ouro

Artist: Lorena Grant (2009)
Location: Administration Building, 1317 Albany Highway, Cannington.

The Ouro reflects a perspective and understanding of nature as a ‘cyclic’ form. Inspiration was taken from the constructed wetlands surrounding the building something of a ‘return’ to what was at the site in the past, a naturally occurring wetland. The spiral is a most ancient symbol, found on every inhabited continent and it most likely speaks of the life, death and rebirth cycle. Other elements it reflects include the hypnotic, biological evolution, the spiral structure of the galaxy and universal evolution. It is used in Aboriginal art as a symbol of flowing water and the Ouroboros or snake eating its own tail represents the same events occurring over and over – cyclicality.

The poetry imbedded in the base of the work is by from the poem Little Gidding (No 4 of 'Four Quartets') by T. S. Eliot and speaks of return to the beginning.

The Focal

Artist: Jahne Rees (2010)
Location: Administration Building, 1317 Albany Highway, Cannington.

The Focal sculpture was inspired by the previous ‘Above All - Service’ motto and the general culture and heritage of the City and the specific site location. The themes explored connect the historical use of the site (as a nursery) and express the current and ongoing role of the City in the life of the community. Parallels between the function of the nursery and how the City provides the facilities; the elements of growth; and caters to the community’s needs for it to grow and prosper.

The work is intended to evoke a range of interpretations, but will certainly communicate notions such as the fertile earth nurturing the seed, a sense of opening and striving upward in a symbiotic relationship of mutual support and growth. The contrasting qualities of the two materials used also present a strong sense of duality: the old and the new, the delicate and the strong, the solid and the fluid, the static and the kinetic, and the transient and eternal. The two forms interact and complement one another.

Lest We Forget

Artist: Susanna Castleden (2016)
Location: 1317 Albany Highway, Cannington.

Susanna Castleden was interested in how the consequence and effect of global mobility has changed the way we see and perceive the world, and how this has necessitated alternative ways of visualising our position within it.

The Canning War Memorial carries texts and material elements that aim to physically and conceptually engage with reflection and pause. The highly polished black granite provides a surface on which to carry both historical and contemporary texts, as well as reflect the presence of the viewer and the surrounding environment. The placement of texts asks the viewer to move through the space as they encounter the words ,and orientates our gaze to connecting elements of the site. Overall, it is hoped the project provides a place to pause and reflect on the reality of war and the desire for peace.

Kalla Wirin Gnaark Boodjar - Fire Spirit Mother Country

Artists: Tjalaminu Mia, Deanne Tann and Brenton See (2021)
Location: Queens Park Recreation Centre facing Treasure Road.

The vision for this mural is by artist Tjalaminu Mia and her daughter Deanne Tann, both from the Sister Kate's Home Kids Aboriginal Cooperation. Artist Brenton See helped bring this vision to life on the wall of the Queens Park recreation centre facing Treasure Road.

Kalla Wirin Gnaark Boodjar celebrates the cultural under STORY of Country: fire spirit of mother country - regenerating not only of caring for the land within the Noongar Six Seasons but all inclusive nurturing community connectedness and social harmony between peoples.

Giant Western Dragonfly

Artists: Midnight Tuesday (Philip Gamblen, Dawn Gamblen and Peter Gee) (2019)
Location: 31 Webb Street, Rossmoyne.

The artwork is entitled Giant Western Dragonfly and is the only location on the Swan Coastal Plain where the largest dragonfly in WA, petalura hesperia has been recorded, and its small population is believed to be stable (Brooker and Rigo 2000).

Following the bike/pedestrian path west along Leach Highway into Bateman Park, there is a beautiful interpretive site called ‘Kaalitj-ngort Koondaam’.

This Noongar name translates into English as ‘Dragonfly Dreaming’. The name recognises the Brentwood Living Stream project, and the fact that Whadjuk Elders were overwhelmed with blue dragonflies on their first visit to the site. Developer funded public art.

Nesting Place and Fluid Movement

The Waugal

Artist: Shane Pickett (year unknown)
Location: Kent St and Queens Park Rd, Wilson.

The Waugal (Rainbow Serpent) is etched into the concrete building directly outside the Canning River Café on Kent Street, Wilson.

It depicts the Waugal spirit as it moves through the landscape, creating the river during the Creation Time. Noongar creation stories depict the connection between all living things.
The artwork also features the native bulrush in the area.

The artwork was illustrated by the highly-acknowledged Noongar artist, the late Shane Pickett.