Art installation a walk on the wild side

A Yallingup setting will take artist Yvonne Nietrzeba out of her comfort zone this weekend for the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries’ South West Stories project.

The unusual project is happening all around the South West, with artists creating public installations which interpret local historical events, stories and myths.

Bunbury artist Nietrzeba has chosen to represent the true story of Tilly’s Swamp, an 1867 event in which two young girls survived after becoming lost in local swampland.

Six-year-old Edith was found after three days, while three-year-old Tilly was found after five days.

Nietrzeba said she planned to scatter toffee dragonflies, representing childhood, wildlife and attraction, throughout bushland to give people an experience of becoming lost.

“The concept is being lured away. What attracted little Tilly to wander off ?” she said.

“What I’m hoping to do is create a walk trail into the bush with the toffees. When you try to come back you won’t be able to see them. The other question is why did the girls end up separated?”

Nietrzeba’s installation will be open for viewing on Sunday from 10am to 5pm in the bushland outside Arimia Estate, 242 Quininup Road, Yallingup.

For information on other installations, visit www.brag.org.au.