Media Release: Unveiling Quorum of Quokkas

Celebrating the Shy Beauty of Mainland Quokkas through Art at the Understory
Art & Nature Trail in Northcliffe

Amidst the inspiring landscapes of the Southern Forests in Southwest Western Australia
(WA), a captivating new installation named Quorum of Quokkas awaits discovery at the
Understory Art & Nature Trail in Northcliffe.

Delving into the realm of mainland quokkas (Setonix brachyurus), renowned artist
Mikalea Castledine’s creation explores the elusive and timid nature of these nocturnal,
mainland marsupials, contrasting with their more visible counterparts on Rottnest Island.
Crafted by artist Mikalea Castledine, Quorum of Quokkas embodies the delicate
connection between art, nature, and community resilience. Set against the backdrop of
the 2015 fires in Northcliffe, the installation serves as a testament to the perseverance
and recovery of a small community of mainland quokkas, symbolizing the resilience of
rural communities in the face of adversity and change.

The name “Quorum” symbolizes more than just a gathering; it represents the resilience
and recovery of the remaining mainland quokka population in the South West of WA.
Through this installation, efforts are made to increase awareness of these elusive
creatures, while also highlighting the importance of habitat preservation and native
animal safety on increasingly busy roads.

As visitors traverse the Understory Art & Nature Trail, they are immersed in a world
where vibrant artworks blend with the natural landscape. Inspired by the region’s flora
and fauna, including the iconic quokka and its remarkable recovery story, these
installations offer a journey of discovery and reflection.

The installation highlights the conservation challenges and collaborative community
solutions to issues such as habitat loss, introduced predators, and climate change, that
threaten quokka populations. Visitors to Northcliffe are educated about conservation
guidelines, respecting the natural behaviours of the local fauna and of the importance of
preserving local habitats.

Mikalea Castledine has been a professional artist for nearly thirty years and a sculptor
for the last decade. She is well known for her crocheted animal sculptures at Sculpture
by the Sea exhibitions in Cottesloe and Bondi and her most well-known public art
installation of Meerkats at the Mends Street Jetty redevelopment in South Perth.
Crafting life-size quokka sculptures crocheted out of polypropylene, she aims to raise
awareness of mainland quokkas and the importance of habitat retention.

FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Funding for the commissioning and promotion of the quokkas was generously provided by the Department of Jobs Tourism, Science and Innovation through the Native Forest Transition Community Small Grants program. Additional marketing support was received through the Regional Arts Fund a federal government initiative supporting arts and cultural activity across regional Australia, with the support of Regional Arts WA and Regional Arts Australia.