New artworks curated for Southcamp village, inspired by the nearby Dugalup Brook and bushlands.

Sitting amongst the trees along the Dugalup Brook in Dunsborough, the new Southcamp village consists of accommodation, brewhouse, café and store. The public art response needed to take into consideration the site’s natural environment, cultural importance to the Wadandi people and form new connections with the local community. Our aim was to develop a collection of works, site responsive and integrated, created by local artists to highlighting the natural beauty of the area.

PROCESS

The curation process involved selecting three Dunsborough based artists, Janette Trainer, Ian Mutch and Josh Whiteland, who deeply care about their environment  and know the area intimately. 

Janette, a prolific admirer and meticulous printmaker of local orchids, was teamed with renowned mural artist Ian Mutch, who was trusted with transforming her delicate flowers into an expansive mural along the north elevation of the brewhouse. The mural, its monochromatic palette bringing attention to its form, and plays with scale to promote appreciation of nature’s eye for detail.  By locating along the northern wall affords generous several unique vantage points  for all guests staying onsite in the accommodation.

Wadandi artist Josh Whiteland was commissioned to work with two materials across three locations within the site.  The first material being timber, which surrounds the sandpit, and is burnt with the footprints of local fauna and incorporates bilingually names for each in the local Wadandi language and in English. Whiteland created bespoke designs to be de-bossed into the concrete pathways, along both the arbor and bicycle area, to both greet visitors and signal the importance of cultural heritage upon entering the venue. 

OUTCOME

Through an early engagement approach, integration of the art collection has been possible and in turn is a popular attraction.  Additionally the curation of Dunsborough-based artists has imbedded local connection, Wadandi knowledge and several opportunities for discussion and learnings into the site. By connecting people and place in this way, Southcamp’s public art collection enriches the village, local area and cultural landscape of Dunsborough.