Scene set for reflection on war sacrifice

Albany will shine a light on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with a stunning light installation.

The display, Field of Light: Avenue of Honour, will be installed by UK artist Bruce Munro as part of Albany’s commemoration of the end of the 1914-18 conflict.

Munro, who was in Albany on Tuesday, said he was excited to begin his art installation later this year.

“The work that I do, a lot of it is landscape based, however, this Field of Light will be quite different to others I have done in the past,” he said.

“The sentiment here is different — I feel honoured to have my work shown in such an important place for an important event.

“When you look in the museum and see all the young men and women who gave their lives, it can’t help but move you.”

The art installation will illuminate the Avenue of Honour at Mt Clarence later this year, honouring the Anzacs with more than 13,000 shining spheres marking the last sight of home for the troops who left Albany for war.

The installation will honour the milestone with thousands of lights shining in whites, green and golds, illuminating Albany Heritage Park and the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, from October this year until April next year.

Munro said the opportunity to create the art display in Albany was an honour.

“It is too easy for our generation to forget the sacrifices that were made (and) it is difficult to attribute the freedoms that we take for granted today to a war that ended 100 years ago,” he said. “The idea of the installation is to be a gently flowing avenue of a Field of Light and it will be one of those installations where people can have their own interpretation.”

Field of Light: Avenue of Honour is expected to attract more than 28,500 people, including 8500 visitors from outside the Great Southern region.

Premier Mark McGowan said the installation would create a stunning backdrop to Remembrance Day this year and Anzac Day next year.