New public art for pocket park
A new piece of public art, charting the journey of the Rainbow Serpent (Wagyl) from Postal Walk through to the new pocket park on Rupert Street, has been unveiled by collaborating artists Sandra Hill; Noongar Visual Artist, Elder, and cultural consultant, and Jenny Dawson; ceramic artist.
The new artwork is titled Nanninup, which translates to, ‘a place to stop and rest’.
This is an intergenerational art piece, as the two artists made their first public artwork together, Subiaco Centenary Tiles, which launched in Postal Walk on Rokeby Road in 1997.
During production of this piece, Jenny Dawson (alongside another artist, Peter Zuvela) worked with students from Subiaco Primary School to create a series of tiles – and now, 30 years later, she has worked with students from the same school to create a new piece with Sandra.
This new public art piece, which reflects the natural environment through creeks, rivers, banksias, and the Indigenous rainbow serpent (to name a few elements), paints a picture of the six Noongar seasons through colour and the texture of soft clay.
Of working with the students, Jenny Dawson said, “We wanted to work with children again to encourage community involvement and ownership of the artwork. It was also a very interesting way to tie into the original work, which was commissioned in 1996.
“The children’s tiles use colour, texture, and imagery reflecting the natural environment of the area. Bushland textures and patterns are prominent, and leaves used in the designs have been taken from the areas of remnant bushlands nearby – enabling the work to celebrate a real sense of place.”
Since the 1997 Postal Art project, artist Sandra Hill’s work has been recognised with a prestigious Red Ochre Award.
Sandra’s cultural work on Country means she has little time for public art commissions, which makes this reunion with Jenny and the City of Subiaco all the more special.
Mayor David McMullen said the artwork was a special addition to both the new pocket park, and the City’s wider public art collection.
“This new artwork is a celebration of place, culture, the environment, and our community.
“Sandra Hill and Jenny Dawson have created something very meaningful with the students from Subiaco Primary School – both 30 years ago and today. The result is a project that connects generations of Subiaco residents, unveiled right here in our newest park.”