The Shirley Shell

Coral Lowry

Title: The Shirley Shell

Artist/s: Coral Lowry

Year: 2007

Category: Integrated/ Sculpture

Site: Mandurah Station

Location Details: Mandurah Station canopy

Description:

The work is a large-scale sculptural work projecting above the station canopy and visible from Fremantle Road. It has been constructed from self-patinating steel with a concrete plinth.

Artist/s Statement:

The work aims to provide a significant and recognisable landmark for the station by complimenting the contemporary architecture of the building, and being visible from Fremantle Road, balancing the length of the station buildings with vertical height. While it does not take on the colours of the station building, it reflects the theme of coast/beach. The design merges these two elements to create a symbolic monument to the natural environment.

• The site is predominately limestone (formed by continuous deposits of sedimentary layers of calcium carbonate – shell, marine life and coral). The shell’s curved lines and spiral growth patterns are repeated in various ways and, at times, shows its spiral frame.
• The site and sense of place is represented by the naturally-occurring tuart tree. Tuart plays an important landscape role as remnant vegetation on the coastal plain. Several quite majestic tuart trees made way for the station. The work embraces this sacrifice and celebrates the much-loved tree.