The installation depicts 10 of the most popular locations in Cockburn and wider Perth area
Camera IconThe installation depicts 10 of the most popular locations in Cockburn and wider Perth area Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Popular locations in pride of place

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

The $30,000 installation depicts 10 of the most popular locations in Cockburn and wider Perth area, chosen through an online survey in February.

They include Bibra Lake, Coogee Beach, Woodman Point, Fremantle, Kings Park and Northbridge.

Places of the Community was created using a similar concept to that used to produce the much-maligned Faces of the Community pieces.

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Creator Lyn Merrington painted each location, photographed the paintings, then spliced the images into a composite landscape piece.

Despite the negative opinion generated by the two original pieces, Merrington said she didn't feel the pressure to create something the public would love.

"I was told there are people who don't like the other pieces, but that's fine, it didn't bother me," she said.

�I�ve spent my life painting and there are always different opinions.

"I just love to paint. Any excuse to paint and I will take it up."

Merrington, originally from Sydney, said she loved discovering the places locals liked to visit.

"It's really interesting to know which places people like," she said.

"It was nice to spend some time, sit down and see why people love these areas."

In January, Cockburn's deputy Mayor Carol Reeve-Fowkes said she was unsure why the PTA had continued down the "combined pictures" path, considering the frequent requests from the public to remove the original works. But she said the new piece had been executed well.

"It's colourful and attractive," she said. "Let's hope the Cockburn community likes it."

Merrington's original pieces, on display at Success Library, will be donated to local organisations, including the Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre and Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said he was pleased to see the community take up the opportunity to influence the final product.

"I know that the art showcased on this tower is of great interest to the community, which is fantastic because in the end public art's major goal is to provoke discussion and interest," he said.