new art in perth's historic heart
Historic Heart of Perth Inc's first project saw 65 planter boxes and benches installed across Perth's east end in October 2017. This October we installed an additional 40 planter boxes - bigger and brighter than stage one - taking the total to over 100, and increasing the impact on the streets of the Historic Heart of Perth.
The planter boxes are a patina of what's West Australian - painted by West Australian artists and planted with West Australian native plants. Further details are provided below.
The aim is to signify new energy and change in the neighbourhood. The painted surfaces of the planter boxes and benches act as street level visual activation. Clustering the planter boxes into groups for particular artists ensures a rhythmic pattern of visuals that create sight-lines and art pathways within the Historic Heart neighbourhood.
Thank you to the City of Perth for providing Historic Heart of Perth Inc with a grant to make this project possible. The grant was matched by local property and business owners, and Perth based companies.
1. Ruah Artists
Artwork on 6 planter boxes exhibited on Barrack Street, between Hay Street and Murray Street
Ann, Jane, Kathleen, Kirstie, Len and Rene
Ruah Community Services have been connecting people and community for 60 years, providing support in the areas of housing and homelessness, mental health and wellness and family and domestic violence. Based out of the Ruah Centre, a homelessness drop-in centre in Northbridge, the Ruah Art Group is home to this talented group of people, who each week, come together to share their work and inspiration, hone their skills and create amazing works of art. Having overcome incredible hardship and adversity in their lives, members of the Ruah Art Group hope to spread joy through their paintings and inspire hope.
To learn more about Ruah visit www.ruah.org.au or call 13 78 24
2. Peter Farmer Jnr
Artwork on 3 planterboxes exhibited at the City of Perth Library, Hay Street
“I believe that art can bring communities together to learn and communicate stories, like we did in traditional times.”
Peter Farmer is a Minang Man who’s paternal lineage hail from Albany & Gnowangerup regions in the South West of the state. His mother being Ballardong and his father Minang; Peter claims connections through his paternal Grandmother’s country “Whadjak”, and his birthplace (Subiaco).
Peter graduated years 12 in 2014 and after graduation, was invited to train a pre-season with famed TAC Cup Club “The Geelong Falcons”. Geelong was a community that welcomed another Farmer into the football frame and he also began his academic journey at Deakin University enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts.
Peter’s father Peter Farmer Snr encouraged him to apply for Public Artworks Commissions; the first awarded to him was in 2015 – Royal Perth Hospital – “Cafeteria Floor”. In 2016 both Peter & Kylie Graham were awarded “Moorn Barndi” the City of Belmont’s new Lookout Park, renamed ‘Beliya Kard Boodja’ & WINNER of the National Landscape Architectural Award for Cultural Heritage.
In early 2017 the City of Cockburn awarded Peter “The New Aquatic Centre” – Aboriginal Sculpture welcoming visitors to the state of the art facility and space. Peter has been fortunate to have shown in a myriad of selected group Exhibition in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and was the only Aboriginal Artist to showcase and exhibit at “Fringe World” All Ages 2017, YMCA, HQ, Leederville, WA.
In 2018 Peter has been awarded two more important Public Art installations, as part of the new branding at the New Perth Airport, and the Royal Perth Hospital’s Aboriginal Uniforms for their Aboriginal Liaison Staff; as well as way-finding signage throughout the City complex.
In early 2018 Peter was the first Pop-up retail store to launch the “Fill This Space” campaign launched by Activate Perth. “Chirriger Dreaming” and the Young Aboriginal Artists Collective was a success in identifying a need for a more central ‘Aboriginal Arts Gallery’ in the City of Perth.
In 2019 Peter was chosen from the best Noongar Artist in the state to install the “SKY STORIES”, Aboriginal Astronomy Project at the Perth Observatory. See link.
3. Cathy Blanchflower
Artwork on 6 planterboxes exhibited at 565 Hay Street
Cathy Blanchflower graduated in Fine Art from Curtin University of Technology in 1992 and since then has exhibited regularly.
Current work consists of loose organic patterning which utilises colour and shape to create spaces of change and movement. They could suggest life forms, stone formations, organic structures or microscopic and galactic viewpoints.
To learn more about Cathy’s work visit her Instagram page
4. James Giddy
Artwork on planterboxes and benches exhibited on Pier Street, and the intersection of Murray and Irwin Streets
Initially recognized through an internship with the Little Wing Corner Gallery in 2014 and mural work for Form WA’s Public project, James Giddy completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts, at Curtin University, in 2016 and has since, expanded his practice.
Giddy revolves his practice around themes concerning the unknown as well as environmental awareness. His works often rely on ambiguous backgrounds and negative space, generally referencing figures, and subjects specific to the surrounding environments of the works location.
To learn more about James’ work visit his website
and Instagram page
5. George Howlett
Artwork on planterboxes and benches exhibited at Curtin University, intersection of Pier Street and Murray Street
George’s art projects reflect abstract aesthetic principles where colour, light and shape operate to enliven and enhance a given space – whether that be a canvas, art gallery or public space. Humour, irony and reference to popular culture are often implied in his work.
To learn more about George’s work visit his Instagram page
6. Ron Nyisztor
Artwork on large planter box exhibited at the intersection of Murray Street and Victoria Square, and 4 benches at the intersection of Hay Street and Victoria Avenue
Ron’s paintings are from his recent solo exhibition titled: BC AC Body Clock Atomic Clock, the series relates to the interface between our biological selves and the digital construct of the caesium clock.
The global atomic clock network is comprehensively and digitally integrated into our lives; with an ever increasing hyper accuracy synchronising all aspects of contemporary life. Ron graduated from WAIT (now Curtin University) in 1979. He has been exhibiting locally, interstate and overseas since 1989, his paintings are held in numerous private and corporate collections.
To learn more about Ro’s work visit his website.
7. Peter Farmer Design Team
Artwork on large planter box exhibited at 25 Murray Street, and 4 benches at the intersection of Hay Street and Hill Street
Noongar Totem Stories
“Throughout mine and my family’s professional art practices, we’ve investigated and developed a deep and intrinsic connectedness to the Noongar totemic section or our lore and ongoing customary practices.
The project “Historic Heart” was a wonderful vehicle to showcase our very coastal connectedness to not merely, land-based totems, but also to the Indian oceans as well.
My sister Laura and her Son Shannon have researched and developed more playful imagery around the oceans totems, such as the “Kwillena” the Dolphin, a popular one amongst our children throughout the dreamtime storytelling.
Laura Farmer has gone further to include the Jellyfish to highlight the importance of his role in the waterways, rivers and ocean ecological systems.
“Jellyfish play an important role in the oceanic food chain and the ecosystem. Jellyfish are carnivorous and feed mostly on zooplankton, comb jellies and other jellyfish. Large species of jellyfish feed on large crustaceans and other marine organisms”.
The Karda’s (various goanna species) are also a major source of medicine within Noongar clans throughout the South West of the state and we wanted to highlight our traditional ecological knowledge base, with not simply plant medicines but also animal species as well.
Yonga’s (Kangaroos) are a main staple in our diets and also provide clothing with the use of the traditional “Booka’s” (coats).
Boyi’s (turtles), Djil Djit’s (Fish) and Karil’s (crabs) and the ongoing practices of families collections and gathering; to fish and go crabbing is something that we wanted to remind the wider community of its communal importance to our young people’s ongoing mental health and well-being around some more contemporary themes like ‘act, belong commit’.
This process has been a lot of fun for myself, my Son Peter Jr, my sister Laura Farmer and her family/children, Shannon & Kael.
We’ve shared stories passed down, by my late father & author of this regions “NOONGAR LANGUAGE” Dictionary, see link.
Thank you, to Historic Heart and to ReSpoke for your involvement in such a great project that will bring a whole other more meaningful installation to Perth’s east end.”
Peter Farmer, 2019
Artist Statement -
Peter Farmer
"Art being the tool for the ongoing learning Journey"
Born in Gnowangerup in 1971, Peter Farmer lived a semi-traditional early life on the reserve until his family moved into a house in the late 1970s. Since graduating from Curtin University in 2001 he has established a significant art practice and he works extensively in the education sector to help the wider community understand the deep connectedness his people have to the environment and all of the flora and fauna that reside in it.
Artist Statement -
Shannon Farmer-Taylor
“I have strong family links and connections to Whadjuk country through my maternal and paternal grandmothers. My mother’s family’s hail from Minang, Wilman & Whadjuk country’s as well.
I have been lucky enough to have worked closely with my Uncle Peter Farmer and Mother Laura Farmer, and gained knowledge and expertise as a Professional Practicing Artist, as well as other Public Artworks including this years’ ‘Historic Heart’ project (2019).”
Shannon Farmer-Taylor, 2019
Artist Statement -
Laura Farmer
“I am a Noongar Woman, with family links and connections to Minang, Wilman, Wadandi, Yued and Whadjuk country and a Mother of five & have experimented with Artworks since childhood.
I’ve had the privilege of bearing witness to my mother and aunt’s incredible silks and clay works whilst residing on “Marribank Mission” in the 1980’s with my family.
I have been experimenting with mediums for 20 years, and was encouraged by my brother Peter Farmer to go back and study Art in a formal environment. I completed the Cert 111 in Art and Design at “Kidogo Arthouse” in Fremantle in 2008/09.
I have since been lucky enough to have been involved in various exhibitions with my brother; as well as being asked to contribute designs for some of his Public Art Commissions/Installations.”
Laura Farmer, 2019
Mural by Lance Chadd
Mural on western wall of the Centrecare building,
Design by Lance Chadd (Tjllyungoo) and Trish Robinson- executed by Lance’s son, Virgil Chadd and Grandson, Malik Chadd with mentorship from technical team Mel McVee and Tash Alibegovic
Lance Chadd, a Bibbulmun Nyoongar/ Budimia Yamatji Aboriginal artist born in the southwest town of Bunbury, paints under his traditional tribal name ‘Tjyllyungoo’ meaning, Elder Man/Wisdom/Law, given to him by his Father, Norman Chadd, a well-known Drover of Yamatji Country. His name and breathtaking work are known, recognised and respected throughout South Western Australian and International art circles, South Western Aboriginal communities, art curators and researchers on SW Aboriginal Art and artists. He is known as one of the most senior and important Nyoongar artists alive.
Tjyllyungoo has painted professionally since 1981, and his works are in many collections worldwide and locally including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Parliament House and the Berndt Museum Collection.
Tjyllyungoo is prolific in his mastery of depicting Australian landscapes, with constantly evolving work producing progressively more powerful collections, as he skilfully weaves the intangible Nyoongar spiritual beliefs and stories, through landforms. These exquisite expressions allow easy access for the viewer to search and find understanding of Nyoongar culture and how the land and spirit of the people are inseparable. His peoples take pride in and are inspired by his work, remembering and maintaining their identity, strength of spirit and sense of belonging in their homeland.
The ”Koorlangahs” mural expresses the following:
Culturally our Bibbulmun children are taught from an early age to care and have reverence for all of nature through the traditional worshipping lore of Boorongur. ‘Boorongur’, means ‘spiritual elder brother’ and ‘blood brother relation’.
Every species of food, animal and plant is the Boorongur (totem) of either a group or individual. Every circumstance of life and death has a ceremonial association with the Boorongur and gives our people their strong connection to place and sense of belonging.
Traditionally our Koolangars (children) were taught these totemic laws from earliest infancy and were told of the guardian spirit always watching over their Boorongur, so that they should not wantonly hurt or kill the young of their father’s Boorongur, for these were their own little ‘totem brothers and sisters’.
In this way the mentorship and teachings of this lore go broader and deeper than just valuing and caring for our human children, it instils a deeply held value of all species of children - plant and animal, which is what sustains our life – the nurturing the children of all species is essential for our longevity, they are our life - our future.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who helped to bring art to the
Historic Heart.
Thank you Green World Revolution
Green World Revolution has been engaged to take care of Historic Heart's plants and planter boxes. GWR is a not for profit social enterprise, growing jobs for the unemployed, providing pathways to sustainable livelihoods for people who are suffering from long-term unemployment.
Historic Heart has created two jobs through this project for Edward and Jess. Edward pictured here on Pier Street.
Thank you .reSPOKE and Eekos Architects
Historic Heart's bespoke planter boxes and benches were designed by Eekos Architects and fabricated by .reSPOKE.
East Perth based .reSPOKE designs and fabricates unique street furniture for public spaces - aiming to foster community spirit. Each project is carefully crafted to complement the site and the surrounding businesses, enticing people to linger a little longer.
Thank you Sabrina Hahn
Gardening expert Sabrina Hahn was engaged to select the plants for our planter boxes. Species were selected to showcase some of the most interesting and unique West Australian flora that grows from Esperance to the Murchison.
Thank you Margaret Moore
Selected artists were invited to paint the planters prior to installation on the streets of Perth’s east end. These artists were selected by experienced art curator Margaret Moore. All artists involved are West Australian.
Margaret Moore pictured here with artists Peter Farmer and Peter Farmer Jnr.
