CITY BEACH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Understory is a nationally unique art in nature experience that everyone can enjoy. Artworks are located along a 1.2km walk trail through pristine native forest. Sculptures, stories, poetry and music explore our relationship with nature and the 'spirit of place'.
An Understory Treasure...Kim Perrier's Rising From the Ashes
Video credit: Ruslan Kulski, ABC South West. Used with permission.
Amongst his many acheivments, Kim was the winner of the People's Choice Award at the 2015 Sculpture by the Sea. He spent around 12 months working with the Northcliffe community and Southern Forest Arts volunteers to create a huge body of 43 sculptures, featured along the trail of Understory. This work, called Rising From the Ashes, commemorates the biggest bushfire in recent WA history. The February 2015 Northcliffe bushfires swept through around 100,000 hectares destroying and damaging habitats, farms, forests, and plantations, and causing significant property loss.
Every place has its hidden treasures...
Understory was originally called the Southern Forest Sculpture Walk. It is managed by Southern Forest Arts - a 'not for profit' community cultural organisation.
Over 50 nationally and internationally renowned creative professionals have participated in the project since first established in November 2006. New artworks are added regularly to ensure there is always something fresh for visitors to experience.
Most people spend one hour to one and a half hours walking the trail and listening to a range of five audio tours (including interviews with participating artists, stories poetry and music). There are also audio tours especially for children and youth.
OPENING HOURS
Open Daily 9am - 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Located at the Northcliffe Information and Visitor Centre Northcliffe,Western Australia.
CONTACT DETAILS
For general entry enquiries contact:
(08) 9776 7203
For tour bookings, online sales, media liaison and other specific queries contact:
Southern Forest Arts
(08) 9776 6439
info@southernforestarts.com.au
ENTRY FEES
| Audio Guide | Self Guide | |
| Adult | $13 | $10 |
| Concession | $11 | $8 |
| Child | $9 | $6 |
| Family | $40 | $30 |
| Children Under 6 | Free | Free |
Guided tours are available for groups.
Click here for details.
AUDIO TOURS
Tour 1 - Artists in the Forest
Our artists share personal stories of inspiration and process in creating sculptures for the trail.
Tour 2 - Lines in the Forest
Our writers discuss the stories and poems they were commissioned to write, including extracts from the poetry anthology 'The Forest Waits' and the two novellas commissioned for the project, 'The Group Settler's Wife' and 'Lost'.
Tour 3 - Songs for the Southern Forests
Our musicians reflect upon inspirations for compositions on the 'Canopy: Songs for the Southern Forests' CD. This tour includes extracts from each of the twelve tracks.
Tour 4 - Voices from the Forest
Five stories for children read by their author, Dianne Wolfer. These accompany sculptures in the Children's Story Nooks by artist, Kati Thamo.
Tour 5 - Forest Music
A story for young adults by Louise Schofield. 'Forest Music' follows the story of Ben the 'forest freak'.
