Western Australia Genestreaming Sculpture Trail

Western Australia's 2029 Bicentenary Completing the States Genestreaming Sculptures Trail

Public Art as Educational Tools for Conservation, Science & Culture This initiative blends public art & augmented reality, bringing communities together with contributions from First Nations artists, Field Naturalist artists, Schools, Conservationists, Elders & Scientists. Immersing visitors in an experience that supports education, conservation and eco-tourism. Left to right: Mark Hewson – engineering/structural design, Aunty Carol Pettersen OAM – co-founder/cultural consultant, Ben Beeton – co-founder, sculpture design, field naturalist art, Mali Moir – scientific illustrator, botanical illustration workshops, Gary Muir – shared ancestry research.

The Genestreaming Sculpture Trail of the South West & its associated documentary "Genestreaming Sculptures - South West Journey Ways" has been completed. Our objective is to now develop the Mid West and North West Genestreaming Sculpture Trails & their associated documentaries. Three strong, state-focused reasons for completing the Western Australian Genestreaming Sculpture Trail and documentary in 2029 are: * A lasting legacy for Western Australia's Bicentenary: Completing the sculpture trail and documentary in 2029 would create a permanent cultural and educational legacy aligned with Western Australia's Bicentenary. Rather than being a one-off celebration, the trail would remain for generations as a statewide network of public artworks, digital stories and educational resources that continue to benefit communities long after the commemorations conclude. This aligns closely with the State's objective of creating enduring legacies through built infrastructure, digital archives and education. * A statewide project that unites regional and metropolitan communities: Unlike celebrations centered on Perth, the Genestreaming Sculpture Trail has the potential to connect communities across the entire State—from the South West to the Kimberley—through shared participation in conservation, First Nations storytelling, science, art and education. This reflects the WA Government's vision for the Bicentenary to support participation across metropolitan, regional and remote communities while strengthening social cohesion and celebrating the diversity of Western Australians. * An international showcase of Western Australia's identity and natural heritage: Launching the completed trail and documentary during the Bicentenary would provide a unique opportunity to present Western Australia to national and international audiences. By combining public sculpture, augmented reality, conservation, Aboriginal cultural knowledge, education and tourism, the project could showcase Western Australia's distinctive landscapes, biodiversity, creativity and innovation at a time when global attention is focused on the State. This supports the Bicentenary objective of highlighting WA's unique identity while creating long-term tourism and educational value.

Using Visual Literacy to engage with Conservation, Culture & Scientific concepts

The 3 pillars of our program are: Conservation - Promoting education & awareness of regional biodiversity Culture - Promoting First Nations artists from the region & their culture Science - Exploring ecology, geology and deep time shared ancestry Genestreaming sculptures promote the artwork of First Nations artists of the region on the outside of the sculpture and field naturalist art in the form of a giant map of the region on the inside of the sculpture. Externally, the viewer is taken on a cultural journey through the artworks of a range of participating First Nations artists. Internally each of the sculptures 15 petals represents a different species or group of animals, plants or fungi which connects to an ancestral line on the base plate. When the viewer enters the sculpture they represent all of humanity & may explore artistic themes including local ecosystems, the geological origins of landscape, endangered species and the shared ancestry of species through deep time.

The National Genestreaming Sculptures Trail thus far

This project has come into being through the efforts of many people over many years. Foundational research began in the 1980's. It was conceived in Albany in 2017, the sculpture was designed at the Australian National University in 2020 and was launched in the Porongurups in 2021. Further sculptures both physical and AR were established in the Bunya Mountains, Singapore Gardens by the Bay and Alice Springs. In 2025, a tourism trail of Genestreaming Sculptures was installed across the South West of WA. As a community resource the sculptures are designed to be educational tools about the region.

Patrons & Communities Receive

Patrons Receive - Acknowledgement and thanks on the sculptures signage, website and documentary. Access to the Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit with 100+ nature journaling activities, drawing lessons, outdoor projects, and printable resources for flexible classroom or home learning. Communities Receive - A complete Genestreaming Sculpture. QR Code Access at the sculpture to the Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture for schools. An accompanying webpage about the project with excerpts from the documentary that will be created about the project. The physical sculptures link to an Augmented Reality Genestreaming sculpture of animated paleo creatures which inhabit the era they lived in millions of years ago…. including Dinosaurs!

Genestreaming Sculpture & Documentary Funding

There are 15 petals in a sculpture. To fund future sculptures and the associated documentaries in participating regions we offer the Adopt‑a‑Petal program. Petals are adopted for $12,000 each including GST. To assist groups in fundraising efforts we have a broad range of merchandise that, via a printed QR code link to the Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculptures. The merchandise can also feature the groups logo. Funding supports: - First Nations art - Field Naturalist art - materials & sculpture fabrication - galvanizing - printing - signage design - webpage development - Augmented Reality Sculpture - field naturalist studies - phylogenetic tree research - baseplate design & laser cutting - project documentation - founders team consultation - project management - auspicing body - sculpture delivery - sculpture and signage installation oversite - a documentary - filming & editing - travel & accommodation

Creating the Art for Adopted Petals

When a petal is adopted the First Nations art and Field Naturalist art for the petal will be created.

Nature Journaling for all Ages

All patrons receive access to Explore Nature Journaling with activities designed for everyone — from young learners to adults. Encouraging lifelong learning this flexible program nurtures curiosity, creativity, and outdoor discovery. Learn the art of nature journaling, create new memories whilst exploring deep time.

Genestreaming Sculpture

Each Genestreaming Sculpture is designed as a unique ecological, cultural & deep-time signature of the specific region — shaped by the local First Nations artists, endemic species, geological history, phylogenetics, environmental character and mapping of that place documented through nature journaling.

Creating a Documentary

A short documentary will be made about the artistic, cultural and scientific inspiration behind Genestreaming Sculpture as well as the opening of the Genestreaming Sculpture. This footage will, in time be included in a documentary about the sculpture trail.

Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit supporting Schools & Communities to contribute to the Genestreaming Sculptures

Our 'Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit' is the program that assists communities in making a nature journaling contribution. We’ve run many adult work shops over many years. Through these experiences we have created the 'Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit which is Multimodal and accommodates all age groups. It combines science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics with a national sculpture trail designed to promote an awareness of conservation, science and first nations culture with school input. Our program emphasizes the importance of nature journaling because, as a global educational movement, nature journaling is about contributing to future-focused education which explores: - environmental sustainability - community engagement - participation in a national artwork - students connecting with nature - real-world learning - creativity and expression When expressed through a community Genestreaming Sculpture nature journaling combined with field work: • Connects Science, Culture and Sustainability through Art • Strengthens creativity and visual literacy • Creates opportunities for community engagement • Encourages outdoor learning and careful observation • Supports environmental awareness and future-focused thinking • Builds community pride through participation in a national project

Genestreaming Sculptures Established Thus Far

Through public art and new technology these established sculptures connect First Nations art, Field Naturalist art, science, conservation initiatives and a school nature journaling project displayed in Augmented Reality. The sculptures depict the shared ancestry of 15 local species with humans. Each sculpture contributes to the National Genestreaming Sculpture Trail program. Footage from the projects associated documentary is available on this page.

Twin Creeks Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve as an educational tool celebrates the region’s unique ecology by combining art, storytelling, and scientific interpretation to highlight local biodiversity, waterways, and cultural connections. The project encourages strong community involvement through Aboriginal artist and field naturalist artist participation, local collaboration, and accessible science and cultural communication that deepens understanding and care for the reserve’s ecological and cultural values.

Bunya Mountains Genestreaming Sculpture

The Bunya Mountains Genestreaming Sculpture was developed in collaboration with the Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and draws on knowledge shared through the Bonye Bair Bush University, helping connect visitors with the cultural, ecological, and historical significance of the Bunya Mountains. The sculpture highlights the region’s unique ecology, illustrating how ancient lineages of species have evolved and adapted within this biodiversity-rich landscape over millions of years. It also explores the volcanic history of the area, tracing its origins to hotspot-driven volcanic activity that shaped the mountains and influenced the ecosystems that thrive there today.

Singapore Gardens by the Bay Genestreaming Sculpture

The Singapore Gardens by the Bay Genestreaming Sculpture stands as a vibrant ambassador for Australia, sharing First Nations culture, conservation, and scientific storytelling with millions of international visitors in Singapore. As the first Genestreaming sculpture installed beyond Australian shores, it symbolizes the friendship between Australia and Singapore while showcasing Australia’s unique environmental and cultural heritage. In 2025, Australia's Governor General Sam Mostyn officially unveiled a plaque marking the sculpture’s permanent installation at Gardens by the Bay, celebrating its role as a lasting cultural connection between the two nations. The sculpture’s AR experience brings deep-time evolutionary stories to life, creating an engaging Australian cultural landmark in one of the world’s most visited garden destinations.

Alice Springs Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

Through the Activate Alice Public Spaces Beautification Program this is the first sculpture in the Northern Territory of the Genestreaming Sculptures National Tourism Trail. The Alice Springs Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculpture is a joyful blend of art, science, and culture that transforms the stories of Central Australia into an immersive digital experience. Its vibrant collaboration between Aboriginal artists, field naturalist artists. conservationists, and research scientists creates a beautiful celebration of the region’s landscapes, wildlife & heritage.

Capel Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Capel Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the unique regional ecology of Capel by combining innovative digital art with stories of local biodiversity, native species, cultural connections and environmental connections. The project also strengthens community engagement through active participation from a local school guided by a local First Nations artist, field naturalist artists, and residents, creating a shared sense of pride, learning, and stewardship for the region’s natural environment.

Northcliffe Genestreaming Sculpture

The Northcliffe Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the rich ecology of Northcliffe by showcasing the region’s ancient forests, biodiversity, and environmental systems through innovative science-based public art. The project strengthens community connection through local participation, Aboriginal cultural and scientific contributions through art, and engaging communication that helps residents and visitors better understand and value the landscape’s ecological and cultural significance.

Denmark Genestreaming Sculpture

The Denmark Genestreaming Sculpture highlights the rich regional ecology of Denmark by creatively interpreting its towering karri forests, diverse coastal ecosystems, and unique native wildlife through immersive public art. The project also fosters strong community connection through the involvement of First Nations & field naturalist artists, and residents, encouraging environmental awareness, creativity, and shared stewardship of the region’s natural heritage.

Kellerberrin Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Kellerberrin Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the unique landscapes and ecological stories of Kellerberrin through immersive digital public art informed by Aboriginal guides, cultural knowledge, and collaborative Aboriginal artist participation. Supported by the science communication work of GeoParks WA, the project helps connect visitors and the local community with the region’s geology, biodiversity, and living cultural heritage in an engaging and educational way.

Bremer Bay Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Bremer Bay is inspired by the extraordinary biodiversity of the Fitzgerald Biosphere, creatively interpreting its rich ecosystems, endemic species, and coastal landscapes through immersive science-based public art internally and cultural based art externally. The project supports community connection through Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artist participation, local collaboration, science communication, and educational school visits that help young people learn about the region’s ecological and cultural significance.

Ravensthorpe Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Ravensthorpe is informed by field naturalist research into the remarkable plant diversity of the Ravensthorpe Range, translating scientific knowledge about its rare and endemic flora into engaging public art and ecological storytelling. The project brings together schools participation, community members, and Aboriginal participants through collaborative science and cultural communication with educational visits that inspire learning, cultural understanding, and appreciation for the region’s unique biodiversity.

Wave Rock Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Wave Rock is inspired by the immense geological history of the ancient Yilgarn Craton, using science-based public art to interpret one of the world’s oldest landscapes and its enduring ecological significance. Influenced by the surrounding beauty of the Wave Rock Wildflower Farm, Lake Magic and enriched through Aboriginal artist participation, the project strengthens science communication by connecting geology, biodiversity, culture, and community storytelling.

What community leaders, teachers, elders & science communicators are saying

This project is about connecting communities and the next generation to the environment & culture through public art and new technology. The 3 pillars are conservation, culture and science. Discover how communities, families, and educators are bringing outdoor learning, observation skills, and creative exploration into everyday education.

”

“You should have seen the students, they just erupted! It just goes to show how interactive education is very important for our younger generation”.

Douglas Kichen.

Capel Shire President

”

"I think that the involvement with the children now brings it down to another generation of people who understand the earth, who can walk on it, who can go into that sculpture look at a petal follow it down and follow the timeline through I'm amazed at how the children have connected very well with it, it will never leave them".

Cr. Sue Leighton

Ravensthorpe Councillor

”

My background is in teaching, and my passions are art and science. Taking the kids out into the Bush and learning about the flora and fauna, by having the kids drawing what they find or photographing it, looking at it in detail, helps embed that knowledge deeply. The Genestreaming sculpture is such a rich learning tool for children because it has so much embedded in it, it offers a lot, it's a very powerful tool for learning and its beautiful form.

Kier Douthie

Principal of Jerdacuttup Primary School (retired)

”