Australian first Giants of Mandurah exhibition launched in Mandurah

The Giants of Mandurah are in WA and already making a big impression.

The larger-than-life sculptures have been built and hidden throughout the Mandurah and Peel region and as well as Subiaco.

World-renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo launched the exhibition on Tuesday with Premier Mark McGowan.

The all ages and abilities interactive giants trail will be in W.A for the next year and is expected to attract a number of visitors to the region.

The project was initiated and produced by WA arts and culture organisation FORM — Building a State of Creativity Inc. and delivered in collaboration with the City of Mandurah.

Considered one of the world’s leading recycle artists, Dambo’s wooden creations are made from entirely recycled materials and are intended to convey important messages about conservation and respect for nature.

The Giants of Mandurah exhibition is Dambo’s first and only outdoor sculpture discovery trail in Australia to date and aims to encourage visitors to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the natural surroundings and wonders of the Peel region while searching for the Giants.

Dambo has had previous success with exhibitions in, the USA, France, Germany, China, South Korea and Chile.

Giants artist Thomas Dambo said this project has been a long time in the making.

“Everything here feels alien like and a little bit out of a fairytale, so it feels like a giant could live here, so because of that for me it seems like a perfect fit”.

“I love to tell stories and I love to go on adventures and I love to explore,” Mr Dambo said.

“We don’t hide the giants for people to not find them, we hide them because we want people to go and explore.”

“There’s also something funny about hiding something that is super big, it’s a little bit silly, but I think it’s fun.”

Premier Mark McGowan said that the exhibition will encourage tourism and families to come and experience the Mandurah-Peel region.

“This Australian first project will only be exhibited right here in Mandurah, and is yet another example of the incredible tourism, arts and cultural events that Western Australia continues to offer which brings a boost to the local economy and supports local jobs.”

“We’ve got a whole range of giants in the forests hidden around the Mandurah-Peel region, you come down to the Mandurah visitors centre collect your guide book and you go out and there’s clues and for you to find the giants.”

“It’s terrific for families with kids, who want to have a day or a weekend or a few weekends out, having experience and enjoying something spectacular and unique.”

“We expect we will have many thousands of people coming out to Mandurah and many people coming out and staying at the local accommodation, using the local cafés,” Mr McGowan said.

The Giants of Mandurah exhibition will be open to the public this weekend, Saturday November 12.