Castaways sculptures land in Rockingham

The City of Rockingham's 16th annual Castaways Sculpture Awards kicks off this weekend.

Three distinct exhibitions will make up the event: the Main Exhibition on Rockingham Foreshore with large-scale sculptures, the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition at Rockingham Arts Centre, and the Castaways Schools Exhibition in Churchill Park.

There will be a total of 67 artworks on show until November 3, all created from repurposed materials.

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.

“Come along and explore the sculptures that embody the spirit of sustainability through the use of recycled materials, participate in the Castaways Photo Competition, or join the Sustainability Pop-Up Event to learn more about leading an environmentally-friendly future.”

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 include 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 rockingham.wa.gov.au/castaways