Community artwork celebrates Mandurah’s story

A three-metre long artwork created by the community to celebrate Mandurah's history and culture is now on display in the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

The acrylic dot painting, titled One Place, Many Voices, is the result of a unique community art project made in collaboration with local award-winning Aboriginal artist Deborah Bonar.

Alongside Bonar, community members were invited to add to the artwork at a community event earlier this year. 

Mayor Caroline Knight said the piece represented Mandurah’s diverse community, cultural storytelling, shared values and connection to waterways.

“Our culture and history are central to Mandurah’s story, so it was incredibly special to have our diverse community come together to help to create something lasting and meaningful,” Mayor Knight said. 

“Many hands helped to create this beautiful piece. It’s more than just a painting – it embodies the collective spirit of Mandurah and shows the power of connections in our community. We sincerely thank Deborah for her incredible creative guidance throughout the project. 

“One Place, Many Voices honours our Indigenous heritage and celebrates Mandjoogoordap as a historic gathering place for the Bindjareb Noongar people. This community canvas is just one way we’re strengthening our commitment to inclusivity and shaping a vibrant community that is connected to its people and nature. 

“I encourage everyone to come and see this piece and celebrate the many voices that make our community so unique.” 

Mayor Caroline Knight, Deborah Bonar and Cr Amber Kearns with the artwork at MARC. PIC: Supplied

Bonar is a Mandurah-based artist and experienced workshop facilitator who brings her passion for Aboriginal art to interactive community canvas projects, school visits and corporate art workshops through her company, Scribblebark.

She has exhibited widely in WA, has won the coveted Cossack Art Award (WA Indigenous Artist) and has many works held in private and public collections. 

This piece blends contemporary painting techniques with inspiration from Bonar’s Gija and Yamaji heritage, weaving together cultures, histories and people. 

“For me as a local artist it means a great privilege, pride and very exciting to facilitate such a large artwork. This opportunity to work with community-oriented art projects allows fostering creativity, building community awareness, and embracing contemporary Aboriginal art and its stories,” Ms Bonar said. 

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who were involved for their incredible contribution to the community canvas, a stunning, inspirational special piece held close to all our hearts,” she said.  

This community canvas initiative was made possible with funding assistance by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.