Castaways to Transform Foreshore

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin encouraged families to make a day of it in Rockingham and explore the range of art on display.

“We’re continuing the Castaways tradition this year of transforming Rockingham Beach into an artistic wonderland,” Mayor Hamblin said.

“Thank you to our sponsors Alcoa, Capral Aluminium and Fremantle Ports for helping us to put on another fantastic Castaways event celebrating arts and sustainability in our community.”

This year’s $27,000 prize pool has attracted artists from across WA to enter the awards.

In the Main Exhibition, Baldivis artist Rachael Lemon has recycled parts of her 2022 sculpture for her work, Hollow Habitat, a statement about land clearing causing a reduction in natural habitats for the Carnaby cockatoo featuring cockatoos created from discarded plastic. 

Secret Harbour artist Ben Veljacich reflects on his pastime of snorkelling around Rockingham with Moon Jelly, a gigantic three-metre-high moon jellyfish created from repurposed aluminium.

Castaways includes two interactive works this year. Trace Your Place, created from aluminium scraps by father and daughter Seren and Rene Lehner, includes a map of the world and encourages visitors to trace the path of their ancestors. Claire Garcia-Webb’s, Bjorxsite, also made from scrap aluminium, is a tribute to both the music of Bjork and the origins of aluminium from bauxite. With a background in music, Garcia-Webb has created a unique instrument emitting Bjork-like sounds.

At the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition, Hillman artist, Janice O’Meara, has painstakingly stripped recycled electrical wire to create Tipping Point: A Balance of Nature, while Lisa Dymond’s Kuchen Katze will bring a smile to visitors with a cat created from a 1960s Mixmaster and a 1920s cast iron gem scone tray.

In the Schools Exhibition, materials such as recycled CD’s, wire fruit baskets, tyre tubes, milk bottles and a metal patio heater have provided children with the means to create colourfully festive and vibrant works while being steeped in environmental awareness.

There is a range of events happening as part of Castaways, including Artist Talks, Tactile Tours, and an artist professional development session.

Beach matting will be in place during the exhibition to make it easier for everyone to access the artwork.

For more information on all of the events, visit Castaways.

Rachael Lemon, Hollow Habitat, wood, steel rods, polystyrene, paint. Image credit: courtesy the artist.

Ben Veljacich, Moon Jelly, aluminium. Image credit: courtesy the artist.

Seren and Rene Lehner, Trace Your Place, aluminium. Image credit: courtesy the artist.

Claire Garcia-Webb, Bjorxsite, aluminium, found objects, rocks. Image credit: courtesy the artist.

Janice O’Meara, Tipping Point: A Balance of Nature, recycled wire, wood, steel. Image credit: courtesy the artist.

Lisa Dymond, Kuchen Katze, 1960s cast steel Mixmaster, 1920s cast iron gem scone tray, wood, resin, lighting. Image credit: courtesy the artist.