Two of the Peel region’s best contemporary artists have selected Lake Walyungup as the site of inspiration for their latest art project.
Annette Nykiel and Jane Whelan are two of four WA based contemporary artists drawing influence from the lake for their latest art exhibition Talking Place: Unfolding Conversations.
The project is a potential source of conversation about the biodiversity of the wetlands stretching down the Mandurah and Rockingham coastline.
Lake Walyungup lies between Mandurah and Warnbro and can be seen from the train or road.
Often described as ‘forgotten’, the empty space in the midst of the growing urban community surrounding offers shelter to many species of migratory birds and wildlife.
It has a deep history embedded in thrombolite remains, links with the Noongar community and various historical uses by the passing groups of settlers and armed forces.
Each artist is developing art works that describe their encounter with the lake using drawings, bricolage, lithography, etching as well as digital technologies including drone videos and 3D prints.
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It is the second time the award-winning artists have worked collaboratively after exhibiting together in September, 2018 in an international exhibition in Spain.
Nykiel and Whelan are hoping the exhibition will raise awareness of the environmental significance of local wetlands and start a dialogue about the multiple meanings of Lake Walyungup.
They are calling on anyone who may know more about the Lake’s past or are familiar with its previous uses to get in touch.
Talking Place: Unfolding Conversations will be held at the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) from May 3 – June 23, 2019.
