Ellenbrook in Western Australia (WA) is Australia’s most-awarded community. Located between Gnangara and Whiteman Park, the town provides a rare balance between a traditional village environment and a progressive, contemporary urban centre that will eventually be home to 30,000 people.
Ellenbrook is the new town in the Swan Valley
Ellenbrook is planned as a series of villages, surrounding a vibrant and growing town centre. The town centre is currently home to a large shopping centre, performing arts space, library and gallery, together with a range of eating options. In the near future, the shopping centre is due to triple in size and a tavern is to be constructed.
Public Art
Central to the planning is the creation of a ‘sense of place’ that is relevant to the lives of people living in this rapidly expanding and maturing community.
The public art program is one way of achieving this feeling. Artworks throughout Ellenbrook can be enjoyed individually, but together they weave an ongoing story, linking ideas and creating a dialogue between the landscape and the viewer.
Ellenbrook’s art explores ideas for creating a new town on an ancient land. Memories of an older landscape enhance the new urban streetscapes and enrich the sense of place. The artist Philippa O’Brien uses these memories together with history and the natural environment, to create artwork that is profound and distinctive.
There are paths throughout Ellenbrook that you can take to visit the artwork in each village. You can collect a free guide to the artwork locations at The Gallery, 34 Main Street, Ellenbrook. Phone (08) 9297 9900.
Ellenbrook Gallery
The Gallery, opened in 2005, is a large, contemporary gallery space situated in the heart of Ellenbrook town.
It exhibits a wide variety of Western Australian art, over many art forms and from a range of professional practising, emerging and local artists. It has an eclectic exhibition calendar – curated exhibitions change every six weeks and balance community inclusiveness with artistic excellence. Many of the artworks are for sale.
Website: www.ellenbrook.com.au
