CELEBRATED Indigenous artist Fiona Clarke made a flying visit home to Warrnambool this week, but still managed to leave a lasting legacy of hope.
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In just two days, she transformed a featureless section of concrete wall into a colourful mural of symbolic indigenous storytelling.
The mural adjoins that of Killarney artist Ricky Schembri on the western wall of the Western Region Alcohol and Drug centre (WRAD).
Aiming to open conversations through art about supporting those in need of WRAD's services, the project will eventually comprise five panels by five artists and is hoped to be completed by the end of this year.
WRAD director Geoff Soma said Clarke's work-in-progress had created a lot of interest among passers-by this week.
"I think it's fantastic. There's some really warm colours and it represents bright hope for the future," he said.
"We're really keen to provide some dialogue around our clients and their need to be supported through recovery."
Clarke said her mural sent a message of hope through self-respect, respect for the environment, as well as commitment. At its heart, a central circle represented WRAD, with the smaller circles the many areas of support reaching out to those ready to seek help.
The artist, who gained notoriety in recent years as the creator of Walkabout Wickets, the symbol of Australian cricket's Indigenous heritage, said she was delighted to be back in Warrnambool.
"It feels really good being back home to do something for Warrnambool to brighten the place up," she said. The city's Special Developmental School has also taken up her platypus design in its artwork in a nod to being unique, special and happy with who you are.
Born and raised at Framlingham, Clarke is now based in Melbourne with her artist husband Ken McKean where she is building a reputation in public arts.
The couple has recently completed a project at the Springvale Community Precinct on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges.
Acknowledging the area's traditional Wurundjeri and Bunurong mobs, the project incorporates two large sculptures of a crow and lyrebird carved from Western District bluestone, a fire pit, ochre bowl and redgum logs.
As part of their commission to deliver indigenous designs at five train stations on the upgraded Ballarat line, the artists have completed works at Rockbank and Cobblebank stations featuring forecourt designs and a 'zero' water fountain.
Clarke is also shortlisted by Hume City Council for a public art project.
