Tourists are often led to believe Cowaramup is named after cows. Our little town was built on the back of the dairy industry, and our main street has plenty of fibreglass cows to celebrate this fact, so the mistake is easy to make.
In reality, our town was named after a purple-crested lorikeet endemic to this area, known as Cowara in our local language.
Mural Story in the Margaret River Mail
A new public mural unveiled in the South West town of Cowaramup aims to create awareness behind the town’s name while providing another spot for snap-happy tourists to spread the word about the community through social media channels.
According to its creator, ‘Cowara Dreaming’ is a celebration of the Cowara bird and the little town it’s named after.
“I’m blown away with how well it is being received, I am so so happy,” said artist Anita Revel in the week after the brilliantly coloured artwork was revealed on the exterior of the Cowaramup Agencies building.
Inspired by the stunning colours found on a fallen Cowara bird in her own backyard, Revel said she was amazed by the kaleidoscope she discovered under the bird’s wings and the wheels began turning.
“I approached Neil Earl at Cowaramup Agencies with a concept — giant wings that people could have their photo taken with.
“I would also hashtag Cowaramup onto the design to help put this little town on the social media map. He said yes!”
The following night, working against the wind and rain of winter, Revel set to work on the wall, stencilling her design using a projector and the help of some local businesses.
“We had a window of fine weather the following morning to erect scaffolding — Gavin from Leimac Building donated his time to collect the scaffolding which was donated by Trade Hire Margaret River, and erect it in freezing conditions.”
Working for another three days to complete the wings, Revel said she was frequently greeted by interested locals and visitors.
“I was amazed and grateful for all the people who saw me working and stopped to let me know how excited they were to see some colourful art in the town. And to the people who brought me coffee? Thank you!”
As the artist descended from her platform to sign her name on the completed mural, people formed a queue to begin having their photo taken.
Revel said the experience left her humbled and proud of her community.
“I was close to tears when I had my first photo taken with the mural… I couldn’t be happier with this gift to the Cowaramup people, celebrating the town’s heritage in a contemporary, colourful way,” she said.
“I am especially humbled by all the positive comments and support the community has shared with me.”
The ‘Cowara Dreaming’ wings can be found at the Cowaramup Agencies building on Hall Road, Cowaramup (facing the tennis courts).
Photos can be tagged with #Cowaramup and @anita.revel.artist to share the story.
~ Story by Nicky Lefebvre of the Margaret River Mail
In November 2022 the original Cowara Dreaming mural was updated. I posted this to my Facebook page:
Finished it in the rain just now, so hopefully the purple background doesn’t run toooo much! I live on Wadandi Boodja, and it is my honour to create this mural to represent the Cowara, the Noonga word for the purple crested lorikeet, after which #Cowaramup town is named 