Murals decorate WA aged care precinct

West Australian aged care provider Capecare is adding three murals to its $37.5 million Dunsborough aged care and retirement living project.

The Dunsborough project includes 21 independent living apartments with a communal rooftop garden, an 80-bed residential aged care home offering respite and allied health services as well as a café, landscaped gardens and barbecue area.

The site, which is under construction, is in walking distance to the beach, town centre, post office and country club.

WA visual artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers, who responded to the provider’s mural callout more than two years ago, has commenced work on two of three exterior wall murals.

He said the murals aim to provide a connection with local nature.

“I’ve referenced the colours of small coastal plants and rocks, but presenting it in a more modern way,” Mr Hughes-Odgers said.

“The front wall will be the hero work, and will be a lot more detailed. It will include images of vegetation, birds and fish. Some of the icons I’ve already painted on the stairwells will be used in a smaller scale on the entry wall so they will complement each other.”

Capecare CEO Elizabeth Hogarth said incorporating artwork into the project offered an opportunity to lighten the spirit of people living at Capecare Dunsborough, as well as those entering and visiting.

“At Capecare we understand that human interactions are vital to the wellbeing of our clients and we want to encourage positive interactions and conversations. We see the work being created by Kyle as an opportunity to create conversation,” she said.

Ms Hogarth said it was important to give Mr Hughes-Odgers creative scope and an understanding of the organisation and how the spaces at the facility would be used.

“We hope it will evoke smiles for residents, families, visitors and our staff,” she said.

Capecare Dunsborough is expected to open its doors in June 2021.

Main image: The murals on the the Dunsborough project.

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