Portals: past present future is a thought provoking exhibition by local Western Australian artists that evokes the imagination of maritime exploration. The exhibition opens at the Western Australian Maritime Museum this Saturday, 14 November 2015.

Portals offers a unique opportunity to experience the work of twenty three emerging and established local artists whose artworks were inspired by the Western Australian Maritime Museum Collection and the working Port of Fremantle.

Western Australian Museum CEO Alec Coles said the exhibition’s theme of maritime journeys from ports of departure and arrival is expressed through a creative and imaginative body of work including sculptures, ceramics, paintings and multi-media.  

“This group of contemporary artists has been inspired by diverse maritime subjects ranging from microscopic plankton, to trade and transport, to the pioneering efforts of migrants,” Mr Coles said.

“Many of the artists are direct descendants of immigrants who journeyed by ship to Australia, and have portrayed the pioneering efforts their relatives made in pursuit of a better future.

“Other artists explored environmental themes including the enduring flight of a shy albatross in search of food, and dangerous weather, so often the downfall of many a maritime journey. There are also striking illustrations, ceramics and multi-media interpretations offering insight into life on a working port and the relationship of industry to the sea.”

A life-long interest in Fremantle Port led artist Lorraine Spencer Pichette to curate the exhibition. Her artworks feature in the exhibition along with other notable Western Australian artists: Eva Fernandez, Stuart Elliott, Simon Gilby, Perdita Phillips, Nicholas Compton, Andrew Nicholls, Denise Pepper, Anna Delany, Sally Stoneman, Vanessa Wallace, Denise Brown, Karin Wallace, Richard Foulds, David Small, Beverley Iles, Shiva Amire-Ansari, Patricia Tarrant, Dianne Souphandavong, Criss Sullivan, Tracey Hart, Robyn Pickering, and Angelo Caranna.

Portals: Past Present and Future is a free exhibition and will be at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle until Sunday, 13 December 2015.

Media contact:
Flora Perrella
Media and Communications Officer
Western Australian Museum
6552 7803 flora.perrella@museum.wa.gov.au