Life-size Bottlenose Dolphins Artwork Complete
Local artist Ian Daniell has completed his latest mural at the Margaret River Recreation Centre.
The mural is a pod of eight life-sized adult bottlenose dolphins and two calves, and was initiated to celebrate the new Margaret River Swim School as well as create a clear zone within the pool for the swim school.
Over several weeks, Ian brought the wall to life by painting the pod with bold colours that complement the refurbished Centre’s colour scheme. The dolphins join the swimmers via the connecting blue of the ocean and the pool.
Shire President Julia Meldrum feels that the mural brings additional vibrancy to the Centre.
“The Recreation Centre is a hub for our community. Dolphins are synonymous with swimming and fun, which perfectly reflects the vibe of our new swim school,” she said.
Ian explained that he chose the dolphins as they are local to the area and a creature our community can connect with.
“I wanted to create something that was joyful and reflected a pure love for swimming. Being able to paint them at life-size gives them a real presence by the pool and I hope they will add to the fun of the swimming lessons.”
All of Ian’s paintings present ocean creatures at life-size 1:1 scale. The 8-metre wall was the perfect size for the dolphin pod, with each adult measuring 3.5 metres and the calves 2 metres.
The completion of this colourful mural comes at an exciting time for the arts in the region. The Shire and Creative Corner recently launched public art trails in Margaret River, Prevelly and Cowaramup to showcase some of the artists that make up our amazing creative community. Margaret River Region Open Studios will also start in September, and Ian is one of many local artists displaying their work during the event.
If you’re keen to immerse yourself in even more of Ian’s life-size ocean art, head to Ian Daniell Art Studio & Gallery to explore jellyfish and other extraordinary creatures from the deep. He will be hosting a Margaret River Region Open Studios Opening Party on 7 September from 4pm to 7pm at Ian Daniell Art Studio & Gallery, 9 Jersey St, Cowaramup. For more info go to: www.mrropenstudios.com.au
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is proud to support Open Studios through its Major Events Grants Program.