Huge mural and mosaic depicting history and culture of East Perth unveiled

7/3/97

A huge mural and a mosaic depicting the cultural and historical background of East Perth were unveiled by Planning Minister Graham Kierath today (Friday).

Both are part of the public art that has been infused through the East Perth redevelopment project.

Mr Kierath said the public art at Victoria Gardens was not only a historical representation but recounted the social and cultural issues of the past.

"East Perth has been an important place, both for the Aboriginal Noongar People as a meeting place and food source and as an early development site and home to one of the first public gardens for the new colony," he said.

"The design team for the Victoria Gardens, once a horticultural nursery, included artists from European and Aboriginal backgrounds to ensure the strong attachment both groups have for the area is maintained in the new development.

"Over the past three years East Perth has been transformed from a wasteland into one of Perth's most desirable inner city suburbs.

"This redevelopment is the product not only of changing demographics and lifestyles but the Government's commitment to improving the urban environment and enhancing quality of life."

Mr Kierath said East Perth's rehabilitation would see it emerge as a vibrant residential and commercial centre, with a population of 2,500 living in a village atmosphere to encourage the community spirit which had been lost in the urban sprawl.

The mural unveiled by Mr Kierath was created by Joanna Capelle and showed the evolution of East Perth using natural resins and vegetation from the area to create its distinctive texture.

The mosaic was the work of three artists - Jenny Dawson, Miv(ok) Egan and Sandra Hill - showing the Noongar Dreaming Story of a giant evil spirit woman, Charrnock, who was chased away to the heavens for stealing children.

Mr Kierath said the public art in Victoria Gardens and through other sections of the East Perth redevelopment were attracting a lot of interest from people across Perth, especially on weekends and evenings.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 481 2133