Erindale Road Underpass artwork

The Team’s focus is on creating high quality public art which encourages community building, connectivity, social interaction as well as communication between individuals and the community.

The features of the mural presented by Sioux and Seantelle are native to the Karrinyup area with the red-tailed black cockatoos displaying the Ngaangk (sun) on their wings to represent abundance and life.

Other features include rocks and water holes showing an ongoing connection to the site, as well as the coming and going, cycles of movement through the seasons. There is also an emphasis on abundance and magical rains – demonstrating growth, connection, and cycles of life.

Twenty year six students from Lake Gwelup Primary School worked with artists to brighten up the original Erindale Road shared path underpass, a vital link in the new Civic Place to Reid Highway Mitchell Freeway Pedestrian and Cyclist Path project – a critical gap in the Mitchell Freeway PSP.

Sioux and Seantelle designed the installation to suite the students to paint as it ultimately breaks down into large sections of colour. The area was chalked and outlined prior to the students’ arrival with the remainder of the artwork completed by Sioux and Seantelle after the students left.

By using graphic elements based on local flora and fauna, the mural designs respond directly to the local environment. The design features fun ‘mascots’ at either ends of the external tunnel entrances, inviting visitors inside.

The inclusion of Seantelle’s Aboriginal symbols and iconography present an important recognition of the traditional owners of the land, the Wadjak Nyoongar people. Seantelle is passionate about Aboriginal stories and recounting them visually and verbally, to ensure the stories continue to be passed down through the generations. The modern contemporary visual language aims to maintain the important connection to site of the traditional owners.

The design incorporates a graphic element which is recurring in Sioux’s artworks. It signifies many things, among them the vibrancy and energy of life. The shape is organic and ties in well with the surrounding natural environment while creating an energetic ‘path/journey’ for viewers to follow.

The contemporary nature of the design adds another element of engagement, to stimulate discussion, provokes thought, challenge, connect, inspire, fascinate and delight.