Published on Monday, 29 May 2023 at 12:48:59 PM

Pictured: SJ Library Services Branch Librarian Belinda Dunkley with renowned street artist Hayley Welsh.

The walls outside the Serpentine Jarrahdale Library Service have been brought to life with renowned street artist Hayley Welsh making her mark on the community facility.

The British-born creative has chosen the Library to be the latest home for her “Lost Creatures” series, with the exterior now featuring a collection of unique, fluffy and wide-eyed critters.

Welsh’s Lost Creatures can be found in several locations across the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, with Byford now their newest home.

The artist said she was thrilled to bring her iconic work to the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

“I really wanted to create a piece for the Library that was interactive and playful,” Welsh said.

“My Lost Creatures have been on an ongoing journey for the last 10 years trying to find home, so for me it’s like they found a home here at SJ.”

Having painted her magical creatures all over the world, Welsh said it was important that her new creation have a close and personal tie to Byford.

While carrying out the work, several locals stopped by to tell her all about their favourite books, with the titles now included in the artwork through a series of mystical runes that can be deciphered using a booklet from the Library’s front desk.

“We’ve had the community tell me their favourite stories and I’ve been incorporating them in the artwork,” Welsh said.

“For me, every artwork is a diary extract of where I was and where I am.

“I’ve been staying here the last week and I ended up feeling quite at home, which makes me feel better about leaving the creatures here as well.”

You can see Hayley Welsh’s latest piece at the Serpentine Jarrahdale Library Service, 858 South Western Highway, Byford.

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