A community artwork celebrating Mandurah’s history and culture is now on display in the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
The 3m-long acrylic dot painting is titled One Place, Many Voices.
A result of collaboration with local award-winning Aboriginal artist Deborah Bonar and invited community members, the artwork came together at an event earlier this year.
Mandurah mayor Caroline Knight said the piece represented Mandurah’s diverse community, cultural storytelling, shared values and connection to waterways.
“It was incredibly special to have our diverse community come together to help create something lasting and meaningful,” she said.
Bonar is a Mandurah-based artist who has exhibited widely in WA and has previously won the coveted Cossack Art Award.
The piece blends aspects of Bonar’s Gija and Yamaji heritage with contemporary painting techniques.
Bonar said it was a great privilege to facilitate such a large artwork.
“This opportunity to work with a community-oriented art project fosters creativity, builds community awareness and embraces contemporary Aboriginal art and its stories,” she said.
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who were involved for their incredible contribution to the community canvas, a stunning, inspirational special piece held close to all our hearts.”
Ms Knight said the artwork honoured Mandurah’s Indigenous heritage and celebrated Mandjoogoordap as a historic gathering place for the Bindjareb Noongar people.
“This community canvas is just one way we’re strengthening our commitment to inclusivity and shaping a vibrant community that is connected to its people and nature,” she said.
“I encourage everyone to come and see this piece and celebrate the many voices that make our community so unique.”
The piece is on display in the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre foyer until May 25 before moving to its permanent home in the City of Mandurah Council building.
The project and commissioning of the artwork was funded by the Federal Government through the National Australia Day Council which granted $15,000 for Australia Day-related activities.
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