Understory Art & Nature Trail
Australia’s leading art in nature experience
Make your holiday more wonder-full
Discover artworks scattered like treasure along our 1.2km walk circuit through pristine native forest.
Sculptures, stories, poetry and music created by acclaimed local, national and international artists celebrate the South West’s unique spirit.
Discover More
OPENING HOURS
Open Daily 9am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Located at the Northcliffe Information and Visitor Centre Northcliffe, Western Australia.
ENTRY FEES
Adult $10
Concession $8
Child $5
Family $30
Children Under 6 FREE
Artworks
Understory artworks include sculpture, poetry, stories and music.
We are interested in the diverse ways the human imagination responds to the sights, sounds, smells, stories and spirit of place.
We love sharing these creative responses with our community & visitors.
Inspiration
All Understory artists, writers and musicians spend time in Northcliffe developing artworks that are ‘site-specific’. Sources of inspiration and methods of creation are as diverse as the artists themselves, including:
SPIRITUALITY – sacredness, sanctuary, forest as cathedral, meditation, mystery…
CREATIVITY – fertility, energy, life cycles, renewal, beauty, inspiration…
HISTORY – geological, ecological and human (from early Indigenous to contemporary)…
DICHOTOMY – contrasts of nature (light and drak, growth and decay) diversity, paradox…
SENSORY – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch of the forest…
The potential for inspiration from each and every place is infinite.
Tours
AUDIO TOURS
Due to Covid-19 our audio tours are currently not available for public use. We are in the process of developing podcast versions of our tours that will be available in early 2021.
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’.
For general entry enquiries contact:
(08) 9776 7203
For tour bookings, online sales, media liaison and other specific queries contact:
0418 754 704
Testimonials
“I feel very lucky to be able to participate in varied high quality events within our region.”
“Stunning paintings that seem to convey a lot of feeling about the landscape.”
“We loved it all. The combination of art & nature was inspiring – bought us to tears (gentle ones). Fantastic work. Thank you.”
“A dynamic, sensitive body of work. Well done printmakers!”
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