New art exhibition showcases connections to Garden Island

A new art exhibition at the Rockingham Arts Centre is set to showcase a range of artwork that explores Garden Island's history, identity and connection to nature.

Four talented artists have been hand-picked by highly regarded Western Australian arts Curator, Jude van der Merwe, to deliver the Meeandip/Garden Island connected/disconnected exhibition.  

Meeandip is the Nyoongar word for Garden Island (now home to HMAS Stirling naval base).

This curated exhibition will feature artwork from Susanna Castleden, Jo Darbyshire, Bradley Kickett and Tony Windberg.

Painting, printmaking, drawing and digital media will be on display from November 8 to November 27.

People wanting to learn more about the work featured in Meeandip/Garden Island connected/disconnected are invited to attend a free artist talk at the Rockingham Arts Centre (RAC) on Saturday, November 11 at 2pm.

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin encouraged community members to come and explore the range of artistic work that will be on display. 

“Meeandip/Garden Island connected/disconnected is the latest showcase in the City’s Annual Exhibition Program, which was introduced for the first time this year after a refurbishment of the RAC was delivered in 2022,” Mayor Hamblin said. 

“Curator Jude van der Merwe is well respected in the Perth arts community, and has done a fabulous job in putting this exhibition together. The artists selected by Jude have created highly impressive new works that showcase the different aspects of Garden Island, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the RAC to explore this exciting exhibition.”   

For more information on the exhibition visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/exhibitions or call the RAC on 9527 0734. 

PIC: City of Rockingham