Roger Swainston: Drawn to Water

Documentary Screening and Artist Q&A

Sun 9 Dec 2018

3:00pm4:00pm

WA Maritime Museum


We're celebrating our French connections!

At the WA Maritime Museum we are celebrating our unique French connections through our French Explorers in Western Australia exhibitions.

As we celebrate the scientific exploration of French explorers in Western Australia, join us to explore the inspiring fusion of art and science in the recent work of WA artist Roger Swainston.

Screening details

Time: 3pm
Duration: 30 mins, followed by Q&A
Ages: All ages (film is rated G)
Cost: Free. WA Maritime Museum adult entry fees apply. Admittance to French Explorers in Western Australia is included in entry.
Bookings: Essential by calling 1300 134 081 or by using the below links

Book Now

Roger Swainston: Drawn to Water is a documentary journey that follows marine artist Roger Swainston as he embarks on the fifteenth year of a twenty-year project, studying the life of the Ningaloo Reef and its inhabitants through art.

The remote WA town of Coral Bay is home to Roger for six weeks every year as he painstakingly produces incredibly detailed underwater drawings that tell an international story through their captivating beauty.

Roger has probably spent more time beneath the water studying this area than anyone else and feels that he is beginning to understand the world beneath. He speaks of the surprising resilience of Ningaloo, its own unique seasons, and the beauty that surrounds him once he becomes ‘part of the reef’.

Join us for a Sunday afternoon screening that explores the underwater worlds of this esteemed Western Australian artist, whose profound connection with Ningaloo Reef has shaped his artistic career. After the screening, there will be an artist Q&A with Roger to discuss his work and the insights he has gained throughout his time beneath the waves.


This documentary is a VAM Media Production for ABC TV ARTS with funding support from SCREENWEST.

Produced, written and directed by Brendan Hutchens.


Caption: Filmmaker Brendan Hutchens with artist Roger Swainston at the documentary launch event, 2017

Credit: VAM Media. Photo: Dean Smith