Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM) is preparing to unveil its most ambitious exhibition since the facility opened its doors eight years ago.
The Alternative Archive – Peel is part of a state-wide exhibition, consisting of 22 arts venues engaging with their communities to explore the heritage of the region through art.
Twelve artists will take part in the Peel exhibition, creating a contemporary visual archive of an aspect of the area.
I’m really excited to see how the artists have interpreted historical documentation and community memories and represented them in a way that is relevant to us today.
- Rhys Williams
The artists drew inspiration from a variety of local organisations including the Mandurah Community Museum and the reserve collection of the Battye Library to investigate historical archives and relationships with the people, places and stories around them.
City of Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the exhibition has been a year in the making and has provided amazing inspiration for local artists.
“So much of our identity relates to our heritage and the stories we hear and tell,” he said.
“I’m really excited to see how the artists have interpreted historical documentation and community memories and represented them in a way that is relevant to us today.
“For many of the artists, the process has been deeply personal and emotional.”
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Artists include Katrina Barber, Helen Coleman, Philomena Hali, Lyn Nixon, Stella Onderwater, Mary Ann Rath, Deidre Robb, Julianne Ryan, Carmel Sayer, James Walker, Jo Wood and Alana Grant.
Artists involved in The Alternative Archive exhibition may have the opportunity to have their work displayed at the John Curtin Gallery, which is an important step in their professional development.
The initiative, made possible by state government funding through the Regional Arts Partnership Program, may display some confronting exhibition pieces.
The Alternative Archive – Peel will run at CASM and the Mandurah Community Museum until March 17.
The artists will speak about their contributions during a Cultural Day artist talk and panel discussion on February 24 at 11am at the Mandurah Community Museum.
For more information, visit the City of Mandurah website.