Pamela Gaunt and Apparatus have completed the artwork series Reality and Illusion I-IV at Hamersley Public Golf Course. This project involved the creation of several pieces seamlessly integrated into the building’s architecture.
Hamersley Public Golf Course is situated amidst significant bushlands and reserves that are home to important Western Australian flora and fauna. The project brief highlighted the Tuart tree’s significance in establishing the unique identity of the golf course, as well as its importance to the surrounding landscapes, including Trigg, Star Swamp, and Charles Riley Reserve.
Although Tuart trees are commonly found throughout Western Australia, many people do not fully appreciate their distinctive characteristics, including the seeds, bud caps (operculum), flowers, leaves, and gum nuts. These elements, along with their natural cycles, inform the narrative of the artwork through both subtle and bold interventions in materials, meaningful patterns, layering, illumination, and thoughtful placement.
Throughout the design process, Apparatus and Pamela Gaunt collaborated closely. The artworks consist of a series of interconnected pieces that create a cohesive narrative as they lead visitors from the entrance to the clubhouse and towards the new driving range.
Reality and Illusions I-IV serves as a metaphor for nature’s cycles. These artworks aim to evoke a shifting visual experience and a sensorial response from visitors through the use of tactile surfaces, illumination, shadows, and discoverable elements that reflect various aspects of the Tuart tree, including its seed pods, flowers, nuts, and leaves. The goal is for these public artworks, once integrated into the fabric of the building, to enhance the experience of the golf course and foster a deeper appreciation for the Tuart tree and its surrounding landscape.