Government of Western AustraliaPERCENT FOR ART SCHEME

W E M B L E Y P R I M A R Y S C H O O L • 2 0 1 4

Stone skipping is an age-old activity that, with a flick of the wrist, sends a flat pebble skimming across a river, lake, or the ocean so that it bounces off the surface of the water. It was this simple, universal pastime that inspired artist Anne Neil to make a series of five beautiful river shaped pebbles for the informal seating at the new school entry. What could be more enjoyable than seat skipping into school each day, bouncing from one big pebble to another?

Each pebble is unique and has been individually shaped and cast in concrete. At the end of the casting process the pebbles were highly polished to bring out subtly different mixes of charcoal oxide and pea gravel aggregate. The pebble theme echoes along the pathway with a light pattern of spray-on concrete ovals.

This sleek, contemporary artwork is an unexpected contrast to the red brick of the original 1936 Wembley Primary School building, but in placing new with old the artwork visually supports the school ethos of acknowledging their long history and tradition with a sense of moving forward and embracing innovation.

The artwork is dedicated to a former pupil, who has sadly passed away and in memory of her life and spirit the school added to Anne’s commission by asking her to cast four bronze butterflies, now affixed to the wall adjacent to the pebbles.

On the wings of a butterfly our spirit goes freeIn memory of Abbey Mulvay

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSArtist: Anne NeilTitle: ‘On the wings of a butterfly our spirit goes free’Architect: Parry and RosenthalArt Coordinator: Maggie BaxterPhotography: Anne NeilClient: Department of EducationProject Manager: Stephanie Gardiner