Shaun Tan’s beautiful egg-shaped mosaic stones have been transformed into a striking new artwork installation on the Crawley campus.
The Marlee Eggs hold both symbolic and cultural significance, transforming a section of the eastern edge of campus and connecting them to the Swan River.
Tan, a renowned artist and UWA graduate was commissioned to create a vibrant mosaic sundial piece for the western wall of the University Club as part of the University’s Centenary in 2013. He titled the artwork 'Hours to Sunset', marking the start of a significant artistic journey.
Image: Shaun Tan’s commissioned work, ‘Hours to Sunset’, is a vibrant mosaic sundial on the western wall of the University Club.
A year later, Director of UWA Extension Susan Marie, and Manager of Sustainable Initiatives Helen Whitbread asked Tan to expand the installation by adding three freeform mosaic organic shapes resembling river stones to the garden. A golden egg nestled in white stones completed the artwork, which was gifted to the University by the Hawaiian Property Group in 2014.
Image: In 2014, the installation was enhanced with the addition of three freeform mosaic shapes resembling river stones, along with a golden egg nestled in white stones.
But since then, the river stones have deteriorated and lost their sparkling mosaic colours.
In 2023, following a cultural mapping process with Dr Richard Walley and other Whadjuk Noongar Elders, it was decided to reimagine, restore and relocate the river stones.
This year, with permission from the original creatives the river stones underwent a remarkable transformation. The mosaics were removed, and the stones were rendered smooth and repositioned within a nest of branches from fallen campus trees, transforming them into Marlee (black swan) Eggs.
These eggs and the swan nest now form part of an Indigenous-themed garden, on the north-east side of the University Club.
Image: The Marlee Eggs symbolise rebirth and represent the University's emblem of wisdom, the swan.
The project has breathed new life into the stones, symbolising rebirth and aligning them with the natural landscape of the Swan River, while also revitalising the eastern edge of the campus.
The Marlee Eggs will be part of the planned Briana Biddi (Banksia Walk), a scenic pathway that will extend from Kings Park to Bilya Marlee, through to Kambarang - the point of abundance - before crossing the road towards Pelican Point.
Dr Walley, who collaborated on the project, sees the new artwork as a welcoming symbol.
“The University should feel like a safe place to come home to - a nest for our community,” he said.
The Marlee Eggs symbolise new life, and represent the University's emblem of wisdom, the swan. They forge a stronger connection to the river while maintaining ties to their original location through the remaining golden egg.