Artist Ian Mutch has given the Dunsborough Art Society a fresh new look by creating murals of Carnaby’s black cockatoos on the outside walls of the building.
Mr Mutch lives near the art society and frequently sees the cockatoos in the surrounding trees so he chose to paint them on the building as an ode to the endangered birds.
He wanted to raise awareness about the species and hoped the murals evoked a discussion between people who saw the paintings.
“I really like painting birds because they are uplifting and flighty, they can really uplift a building and improve a space,” he said.
Mr Mutch has been doing public art around the world for a number of years including warungs in Bali and a mural for Tiger Beer at an international festival.
“That is how it started with opportunities like that, once you start painting in the public realm you have that ongoing promotion” he said.
“It is kind of like billboards.”
Closer to home, Mr Mutch has painted murals on other buildings in Dunsborough including the pub and the side of the Blue Wren.
Dunsborough Art Society member Ann Dexter said the group had always wanted a mural on the outside walls of their building.
Ms Dexter said they came up with a number of ideas but since the members were not as young as they used to be they decided to have a muralist do the artwork.
She said having Mr Mutch live nearby was a plus for everybody so they invited him along.
“It is good for Ian, it is good for us and gives us recognition, it is also good for the city and even better for the Carnaby’s black cockatoos,” she said.
“Unfortunately, they are having a hard time, and we do get some in the trees nearby from time-to-time.”
Dunsborough Art Society president Steve Vigors said murals on walls were becoming more in vogue.
“It dresses up the area and makes it look more interesting, it shows that this is an arts building.”
