Introducing ‘Transition’ – the latest artwork to be unveiled on the Wilman Wadandi Highway
Designed and painted by Kyle Hughes-Odgers, the screen walls on the northern side of the mega-bridge will feature a unique design which ties into the project’s Urban Design strategy.
Published: 13 November 2024, Updated: 14 November 2024
For drivers travelling the length of the Wilman Wadandi Highway, their journey will follow the story of the Noongar Six Seasons. Colours of the Six Seasons, along with community and place themes, have been attributed to zones on the BORR project to communicate an overarching story.
This theme, which is at the heart of the Urban Design Strategy, was developed through consultation with focus groups, including the Aboriginal Heritage Advisory Group, as well as community feedback through public surveys in July 2021.
One artwork near the centre of the project is the mural by Kyle Hughes-Odgers. Kyle is an Australian visual artist who works globally on large scale public art projects, murals, 3D sculptural installations, and gallery exhibitions.
This mural will be painted on two sets of screen walls just to the north of the mega-bridge in Picton East, one on each side of the highway. It will be visible to drivers travelling north and south on the Wilman Wadandi Highway.
This artwork is inspired by the Noongar season of Bunuru, which is the ‘second-summer’ period from February to March. This is the hottest time of the year, and all the artworks featured in this section use earthy browns, sandy colours and reds. It also represents the community and place theme of geology and farmland.
Australian artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers
The full artwork design
Painting of the mural is underway near the mega-bridge
Kyle’s artwork celebrates freedom and transition (hence the title), telling the story of the experience for locals and tourists as they leave the city metropolis and move to the peace of the natural world in the South West region. This is represented by an individual figure flying down the wall before jumping into the air and turning into a bird who is free. The artwork is designed to be playful and unique, and shows a positive shared story.
Painting of the mural has commenced in late October, and is on track to be completed in time for the opening of the Wilman Wadandi Highway on 16 December 2024.