It's often said that artists aren't appreciated in their own home town. Thankfully the Shire of Mundaring doesn't suffer from that form of cultural cringe as it continues to celebrate its home grown talent via an art acquisition program. Artists who presently reside in the Shire as well as those who have lived and practised there in the past, are invited to participate in the triennial exhibition. From this display, the Shire selects works for their public collection, which over the years has evolved into an excellent community asset.

What I like most about these exhibitions is the variety of artistic efforts on offer. This year's presentation includes photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, pastel drawing, printmaking and installation. I also appreciate how works by emerging artists are displayed along side those produced by well established practitioners. It would seem the only criteria for inclusion in this exhibition, besides Shire residency, is owing a high standard of artistic ability.

George Kosturkov's collection of large, long-stemmed flowers, constructed with O's cut from copper pipe, certainly holds our interest. Each lacy metal stem gracefully twists upward as if the open flowers are indeed Searching for the Sun. Maureen Hardwick's sculpted textile work Floradicals-Regrowth is a fabulous rendition of a flowering tree, or perhaps it's a lady in long frock and floral hat! Whichever you perceive, it will delight. Another floral hybrid is Helena by Nicholas Broughton. This finely finished Jarrah wood form suggests fecundity in nature as it gently morphs from female figure to plant form. Its smooth, sensuous shape tempts the hand to stroke the surface.

Jarrah and morphing are also employed by Laura South in her intriguing photographic installation that turns fact into fantasy. Jarrah Montage involves two excellent photographs, one a sturdy section of the tree's trunk the other a wispy bough, that are repeated and presented in a manner that encourages meditation on the power and beauty of nature. Then there is a certain celebration of life in Richard Wheat's fine photograph Dawn Dew where Grass Trees attend to their morning ablutions. A beautifully refreshing image.

The same plants are the subject of Jenny Kerr's painting  Xanthorrhoea only here they appear after a fire. I do appreciate how the artist uses rich texture and a limited palette to imbue the subject with a sense of resilience and rejuvenation. This painting projects a certain sense of hope. David Small's painting Front also projects a powerful mood, one of uncertainty. This enigmatic work in warm, dark hues emits a sense of something ominous this way comes. It's fascinating that such a relatively small painting can have an attraction so strong it brings the viewer back again and again.

I didn't take note of the works that were purchased this year as there was too much to see and enjoy among the thirty-three exhibits. Then again, it doesn't matter which exhibits were chosen as every one of them would enhance any collection.