Glowing artwork lures over 18,000 visitors to Albany’s Mount Clarence since launch

26 October 2018

Recently launched art installation Field of Light: Avenue of Honour by internationally acclaimed UK artist Bruce Munro has attracted more than 18,000 visitors since it opened to the public October 4.

FORM’s front of house service manager Sue McMahon said “numbers have overwhelmingly exceeded our expectations”.

“Our visitors come from across the Great Southern region and Perth but increasingly we’ve seen visitors from NSW, VIC & QLD and international visitors from UK, NZ and even Malaysia and Singapore” she said.

The installation, consisting of 16,000 glass spheres on fine stems powered by fibre optic, is Munro’s second installation in Australia. His first has been enchanting visitors to Uluru since 2016 and following high attendance, will remain open until 2020.

WA's Minister for Tourism Paul Papallia said at the public opening of Field of Light: Avenue of Honour that the installation was expected to be a boon for tourism to the region and contribute to Albany’s reputation as a pilgrimage site for Australians and New Zealanders. 

“Albany marks the site where tens of thousands of troops departed Australia for the Great War. It would have been the last sight of home for many and this is a poignant thought " Mr Papallia said.  

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said “It’s wonderful to see so many people visiting this incredible artwork. It takes something special to generate this level of interest so quickly and we’re very proud of what Bruce Munro has been able to create for Albany... [it] will continue to bring significant visitation to Albany over its duration.”   

In an aim to capture the sentiment of the project, visitors are leaving comments on special reflection postcards following their visit. “People are feeling humbled, emotional and grateful that such an artwork represents those Anzacs who left Albany’s shores more than a century ago and commemorates those who never returned” said McMahon. 

“The reflections and comments people are leaving every day is truly heart-warming."

Commissioned by cultural organisation FORM in partnership with the City of Albany, the free installation opened to the public October 4 and will remain open until Anzac Day 2019. Tours incorporating Field of Light: Avenue of Honour and Albany Heritage Park run weekly from Thursday to Sunday.