Platypus spotted on the Nepean River Trail

 

First Public Art Trail

The opening of the Nepean River trail a 4.2 kilometre walking track located within Camden New South Wales Australia, took place on 16th June this year (2024). The new track features a collection of public art inspired by the local history and nature of Camden. Camden resides on the traditional lands of the Dhawaral people.  You can read more about the track here. and public art here.

Camden postcard sculpture

 

 Kevin Vo

Three sculptured benches in the form of a platypus, fish and frog and placed around the walking track. This were created by artist Kevin Vo. The artwork is called River friends and was inspired by the Nepean River.

 

 

 

Roger Percy

This artwork by Roger Percy is a Historic Flood Marker called Birds Rest at High Water Mark, displaying the historic dates of floods that occurred within Camden the most recent being in 2022.

 

 

 

 

 Melissa Barton

This beautiful pathway design is called Ngalawadyini Ngurrawa - Source of Survival and is by Dharug artist Melissa Barton. The work is a representation of the connection to Country that local Dharug people had with the Nepean River.

 

McClellandDrew, Sit Awhile...

This artwork features a wonderful a selection of chairs, bench and small table made from bronze. It was created by Mark McClelland and Cathy drew and it offers a lovely pit stop along the way to admire the Camden scenery.

Jane Cavanough

This lovely sculpture titled Viticulture; Cattle; Orchards reflects on the agricultural history of Camden. It was created by Jane Cavanough.

 

 

Peter Day

This beautiful sculpture The Farm Gate by artist Peter Day is a celebration of rural life, the sculpture features colourful life like vegetables and a wooden gate.

 

Miss Llewella Davies Collaborative Piece

A lovely illustrative artwork done of Miss Llewella Davies (1901-2000) who was a strong community member was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1991 for her service to the Camden Community.  She bequeathed her family's farm (Camden Town Farm) to the people of Camden. The arwork was created by local artists: Michele Arentz, Esther Bolz, Tom Melville, Belle Mitchell and Tracey Prioste.

 

 

Michele Arentz

Within the Camden Town Farm located on Exeter street is a collection of cow themed artworks titled the The Dairy Series by artist Michele Arentz and was inspired by the farms dairy past.

 

Graham Chalcroft 

A stunning kinectic moving sculpture titled (Vertebrae)-SENTINEL - Camden White Gum is featured as the end piece along the walking trail, it was created by Graham Chalcroft and it is a homage to the Eucalyptus benthamii (Camden White Gum) located within Camden Town Farm on the banks of the Nepean River.

Sekt Compton (Blackbook Ink)

Golden Graze is a wonderful mural created by Sekt Compton from Blackbook Ink and features the iconic merino sheep, apple orchards cultivated by Ferguson’s Nurseries and vibrant floral blooms that dot the countryside. 

Illustrative Signage Artists

Some examples of the information signs decorated around the walking path can be seen below, these are just a handful out of the total of signs listed around the path. They are full of interesting local history and nature with illustrations from local artists.

Esther Bolz

Esther Bolz is a natural history illustrator and her scientific realistic drawings are featured along the trail signs.

Jo Wong

Is an visual artist specialising in the mediums of drawing, painting, traditional Chinese painting illustration, printmaking and photography. Their artwork is featured on The Chinese Market Gardens signage showcasing the history of Chinese farmers within Camden 1890s-1993.

Belle Mitchell

Belle Mitchell is a local artist and illustrator whose works focus on botanical and wildlife subjects. A collection of her art is located on the signage on the track too.

Tracey Prioste

Tracey Prioste is a local contemporary artist who works exclusively with charcoal powder. A collection of her art is located on the signage on the track too.

Tom Melville 

Thomas Melville is a local artist from Camden with a rich background in graphic design, illustration, and animation. His work is inspired by comics. A collection of his art is located on the signage on the track too.

 

Michele Arentz

Along with the Dairy series featured at Camden Town farm Michele Arentz also contributed illustrations to signage located around the walking trail.

 

Final thoughts

The new walking trail is wonderful and was a beautiful enjoyable walk along the track. The artworks are stunning and the platypus bench has to be my favourite. I'm sure I will be back again soon to explore the walking trail. 

Camden Council's statement about their platypus Logo.

Video Extras