Passion for conservation inspires artist’s bay works

A Perth-based artist has created an exhibition to raise awareness of proposed plans for Mangles Bay, Point Peron.

Rowena Keall Walsh was invited by a family that has had a holiday shack in the area for 60 years to paint the place they love and may lose because of proposed development.

Walsh fell in love with the bay and wanted to do her part to raise awareness through her work.

“I’m quite passionate about environment and conservation so I thought I’d do my next exhibition on it,” she said.

“What I’m trying to depict is the natural beauty of the area and the fact that it’s vulnerable, and once it’s gone you can’t get it back.

“I felt the struggle and anxiousness of the people trying to save it.”

The proposal for the development is to bulldoze about 40ha of public bushland, removing existing accommodation, boating and fishing facilities to construct an inland marina and canal subdivision.

Walsh created more than 50 artworks of all sizes over nine months for the exhibition, What’s the Point?

It will be held at Cullity Gallery until November 20, with all works available for sale.