Castaways is Coming

Castaways comprises three exhibitions including the Main Exhibition and Castaways Schools Exhibition on Rockingham Foreshore with large-scale sculptures, and the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition at Rockingham Arts Centre. All sculptures are made from repurposed materials.

In the Main Exhibition Secret Harbour based artist Nicholas Thompson has produced his first large-scale work, Bad Habit-ats. The sculpture is a 2.8 metre frill necked lizard created from satellite dishes and covered in thousands of individually cut ‘scales’ made from aluminium cans. The lizard is perched on an oversized drink can, highlighting the environmental impact of recyclables discarded in nature.

Thompson said he was excited and anxious about being selected in the iconic exhibition, but also relieved to have been selected for the Castaways Curator Mentor Program. “It definitely helped. The feedback along the way has helped keep me motivated and on track to completing the piece as per my original concept.”

Rockingham artist Tuinna Blackie has been selected to exhibit in Castaways for the third time with an ambitiously large 3.9 metre tall work titled Evanescence. It consists of waving lines of aluminium that echo a musical score, with notes created from old records. “I love Castaways,” she said. “Seeing beautiful creations made from someone else's rubbish makes it my favourite sculpture show.”

Len Zuks, who regularly scours roads and highways for scrap rubber tyres to use as the medium for his work, agreed with Tuinna Blackie “It’s thrilling to see what people make out of the most inconceivable materials and create something delicate and elegant.” This year Zuks’ has created Emu Dog, which features 15 emu-like animals that will be placed along the foreshore.  

At the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition, Hillman artist Janice O’Meara has painstakingly stripped recycled electrical wire to create Delicate Window, while Paul Fontanini has poured molten aluminium into a decaying jarrah log, allowing nature to create a work of art with his sculpture Casting with Nature – Hollow Jarrah Fragment 1.

For the first time Castaways will include an artist from Kalgoorlie with Linda Rae’s small work, Iris – Messenger of the Gods, which has been created from cast aluminium. In the Schools Exhibition materials such as vinyl records, lamp shades and recycled table legs have provided children with the means to create colourfully festive and vibrant works.

“Castaways celebrates artistic innovation and environmental awareness. This year we are delighted to be showcasing some outstanding pieces made from recycled and repurposed materials, and there is a $27,000 prize pool across 10 award categories,” City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said.  

“With the weather warming up, Castaways offers a great opportunity for people to come and enjoy some innovative work on the foreshore and at the RAC that recognises the importance of sustainability. The City thanks event sponsors Alcoa and Fremantle Ports for their ongoing support.” 

Curator Lyn DiCiero said “there’s the unique opportunity for community members to engage with Castaways artists in the many Artist Talks scheduled. You can book a Tactile Tour conducted by DADAA, or hear a podcast of the Guest Artist Denise Pepper, so come along and get involved. There are also two community workshops for art enthusiasts and a Starting out as a Sculptor professional development session (limited spaces, fees apply, bookings required for both).”

Beach matting will be in place for the duration of the exhibition, providing accessibility for those in beach wheelchairs and beach walkers (which can be borrowed free of charge at the event), or those with prams. For more information visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/castaways

Photo caption:

Bad Habit-ats by Nicholas Thompson. One of the many sculptures that will be on display.