Centre murals to ‘lighten spirits’

The walls of Dunsborough’s new Capecare facility are looking bright and beautiful as renowned Perth visual artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers finishes the second of three large-scale murals.

The 18m-high pops of colour are inspired by small coastal plants and rocks.

Hughes-Odgers has 15 years of experience in large-scale murals and said the pieces at Capecare took two weeks to complete. He will start a third work early next year.

“I’ve really enjoyed working on this project as the brief wasn’t too prescriptive and left it open for my interpretation. It’s the way I most like to work,” he said.

“My work is usually non-literal and abstract, so basing the artwork on subjects connected to nature and life near the site location was a good base to develop the final composition from.”

Hughes-Odgers has painted internationally and all around WA, including the Mitchell Freeway near the Vincent Street exit, the Merredin wheat silos, Perth Airport, and Karratha Hospital.

Residents will be able to see the murals from viewing points within the new facility, an aspect strongly considered by Hughes-Odgers throughout the painting process.

Capecare chief executive Elizabeth Hogarth said there were positive reasons for having art within and surrounding the facility.

“Artwork being incorporated into the project offered an opportunity to lighten the spirit of people living at Capecare Dunsborough, as well as those entering and visiting,” she said.

“We see the work being created by Kyle as an opportunity to create conversation.”