A 3D optical illusion mural of a grotto has been commissioned by the Shire of Christmas Island critters has been painted at the foreshore area outside of Chinese Literary Association by Queensland based artist Charleen Morris and her assistant Jake Combe.
Charleen and Jake spent several weeks measuring and sketching the image using anamorphic mapping techniques which involved math and a lot of patience.
The lunch crowd at CLA could see the image form over July as larger than life Golden Bosun, Robber crab, Flying fish and turtles began to pop out of the concrete. Passers-by could be forgiven for hesitating to step on the edge of the painting given the realism of the optical illusion of the underwater scene.
Visitors and residents have already begun posing with the realistic optical illusion with the CLA verandah being the optimized vantage point for the illusion effect.
The Shire expresses it.s gratitude to Charleen and Jake for bringing to life the Shire’s desire for the CLA Pad to be an extension of the Foreshore Padang Development and not just a plain cement pad.
Also commissioned by the Shire as part of the Foreshore Development program were 2 more smaller murals in the area. The Foreshore Development program will continue with additional large-scale marine and historical theme art works near the lawn bowls area, with the return of Ortemel later in the dry season.
For more information on these Foreshore Development Projects, contact the Shire CEO David Price at 91648300 during office hours, or come to the George Fam building.

Story Article from The Islander Community Newspaper Christmas island ISSUE 766 12th August 2022

1st of August, after the CEO of the Shire signs off on the 3D mural as complete! 4 weeks of juggling 3 murals and unpredictable weather conditions we had finally finished all murals !
Jake my devoted assistant, who learned new skills as a artist, a mural painter. I am grateful to Jake for his undivided support and committment in the duration of our first creative project together. We look forward to a future of more creative collaborations together.
Our first photograph together on the mural,11 days after we completed it, as we were driving towards the airport to fly back to the mainland. The light was intense at 1pm for a photograph, nonetheless a beautiful and humbling memory of how the Shire of Christmas Island and the Local community embraced us both with warm welcome as 2 artists to fulfill an artwork that would represent some of Christmas Island iconic critters. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity…. Charleen Morris