Biboolboorn by Tom Ansell in Busselton

Biboolboorn, my first commercial mural, depicts a fantastical, saltwater paperbark composed of intersecting bark-shapes and tendril-like limbs. I was approached by the City of Busselton to respond with a quote and choose a theme that was gathered from public consultation research. The plan was to activate the old Opal Lane Laneway in Busselton’s CBD. 5 Artists were to be chosen, each given a 5m squared space to work with along a large wall accompanying The Reject Shop West-facing wall. My fascination with trees as living subjects, alive organisms, rather than just static vertical placeholders began with this mural. Inspired by the local Wonnerup Wetlands and Tuart Forest, I decided to depict a tree that was more unreal than real, as if emerging from another dimension and time, fuelled with electricity. This thought influenced my entire design structure, and the choice of a limited palette of just 3 colours – black, white & a custom mixed yellow – further accentuated the presence of this tree in the space. Like all my projects, I seek to deliver a high-level of both artistic sensibilities, a defined, coherent aesthetic/style, a variety of interesting brushstrokes and a finish that is worthy of an art gallery setting. This piece was commissioned by Building Busselton & The City of Busselton with funding from Regional Arts WA, RAC WA, BCCI (Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry).