Library Wombats Need New Names

Two life-size, papier-mâché wombats have made the hub their home and library staff are running a competition for community members to name the new additions.

The wombats have been created for Off the Page, an installation-based exhibition where words are literally transformed into art.

Local designer Wilma Van Boxtel said she got her inspiration to make the wombats from Jackie French’s children story book ‘Diary of a Wombat’.

“My relation to these wonderful creatures inspired me to come up with the idea of creating two life size wombats which fit in perfectly at the Claremont Community Hub and Library.”

“The baby wombat is nestled in its basket on the library’s counter and the other, fat wombat is sitting in front of a wall plastered in newspaper clippings with carrots pictured in it at the children’s reading corner,” Ms Van Boxtel said.

“Children can cuddle up with the fat wombat and have their photo taken.”

Town of Claremont Mayor Jock Barker said ten other paper-based artworks had been exhibited by selected businesses throughout the Claremont Town Centre this fortnight for Off the Page to raise awareness and celebrate the inaugural Scribblers Festival.

“We are delighted that through the artistic direction of FORM we have been able to attract both local and international artists to participate in this unique project, which has seen pre loved books, paper and print transformed into arresting art installations for all ages to enjoy,” Mayor Barker said.

The exhibition runs until 13 May 2018. Afterwards, the wombats will take up permanent residency at the library.   Back To News Stories