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As you come into the Vasse Village carpark behind Coles, you can’t miss the Estate’s newest artistic addition. Our Vasse Mural is a bright and colourful mural of native flora and fauna by Perth based artist Melski McVee.

About The Artist: Melski McVee

McVee is a multi-disciplinary artist working mainly in sculpture, community art, murals and illustration. Her artwork can be found throughout Perth, with eye-catching murals featured in the Perth Convention Centre, Yagan Square and Elizabeth Quay. As a new regional development, we are extremely lucky to have the presence of her artwork gracing the Vasse Village centre.

Inspiration For The Vasse Mural

Inspired by her love of native flora and fauna, the mural titled “Surrounded I See,”(2018)  includes illustrated varieties of rare and endangered species. This includes the Galaxias truttaceus, a freshwater species of the river system slowly dying out. Also featured is the nomadic Pink-Eared Duck, iconic Monarch Butterfly, Red-flowering Gumtree and Holly-Leaved Banksia.

“I have always loved our native flora and fauna and use it constantly as an inspiration in my work,” says Mcvee. “Our species are endemic and unique and beautiful, and I feel that we need to ensure their survival for the future.  Most people aren’t even aware of these species and the importance they have in the surrounding ecosystem”.

Painted By The Community

A special part of McVee’s artistic practice is to invite the local members of the community to assist with painting the mural through using a paint-by-numbers technique. On the 20^th of October, despite the rainy weather, the local Vasse community put on their painting gear and braved the elements to participate in the mural, creating fond memories for both the community and artist McVee.

“Vasse is a gorgeous little area and it was wonderful to be able to share such a wonderful experience with them.  I actually thought that not many people would turn out to the event due to the rain forecast – but surprisingly they turned out in droves and really seemed to enjoy themselves”.

Emily Perceval, a local Vasse resident, turned up with her young daughter Iris (7) who attends Vasse Primary School. “I just think it’s incredible that it’s local flora and fauna, and how its transformed this plain wall into an incredible work of art. It caught my attention as I was driving on the main road. I saw it, and was like ‘Wow, look at that’! I just love the fact that everyone is out here doing it together in the rain, and the kids can get involved, and they will be able to say that they painted that”.

Commissioning The Project

The mural was commissioned through the City of Busselton’s Percent for Art Policy through partnership and developer contributions from the Vasse Estate Development Partners. Paul Parin from Artefact Creative is the Public Art Coordinator for the Vasse Village who says that: “Mel McVee’s artwork proposal was chosen for the large wall mural project after a competitive selection process that saw her come out as the preferred artist”, who “won over the selection panel with her commitment to community involvement”.

Jacquie Happ, Cultural Development Officer from the City of Busselton, who also played a key part of project managing the artwork says: “The City’s Percent for Art Program is really enhancing our town centres and industrial areas”. Residents of Vasse are in for a real treat, with more artworks planned to come for the Vasse Village centre by the end of November.

Other Vasse Art

Find out about other art installations at Vasse here.

Photo: Artist Melski McVee with students Seb Wind, Sharae Wind and Sophie Luscombe from Cape Naturaliste College.