Fremantle Art Centre paste-ups of Rose and Robin. In the 1860’s the Fremantle Art Centre was then a lunatic asylum where women and children (as young as 9) were locked up for being considered socially deviant; not being sound of mind; having a child out of welock; a disability; drinking too much; or discarded by their husbands for behaving badly. They were referred to as prisoners on arrival, had their heads shaved and were given second hand prison uniforms patterned with convict ‘bread arrow’ symbols. With no therapy, many stayed 20-4o years or until they died.
The hope is that the spirits of these women and children are slightly soothed by Rose and Robin’s quiet presence within its walls.
Today the Fremantle Art Centre is a thriving community hub where families picnic in the safe, shady grounds; people attend music concerts and art exhibitions; do art courses; and relax within the beautiful historic walls and surrounding gardens.
To coincide with the opening of the Fremantle Art Centre Print Award, Thursday 13th September at 6.30pm, I’ll be doing an installation in the glass cabinet outside FOUND gift store at FAC. Books and dry-point prints will be available in FOUND and the new book, ‘Wisdoms of Rose’. Pop down on Saturday afternoon the 15th at 1pm and join me for a relaxed Artist Talk about how the collection evolved through underground publishing ethos of The Black Dog Project and the creative process of making both the handmade and published books.
The typewriter Clunk & Jam book was typed on. Also pictured, dry point prints printed on the Fremantle Art Centre old printing press. Handmade and published books.
Handmade books.
Thanks to Planet Bookshop for the window space for some street poetry – and the support.
Clunk & Jam on the shelf at Planet Books, Perth Western Australia.
Wrote The Black Dog Story on a car body in the desert in the middle of Australia, on the Great Central Road.
(From Clunk & Jam book pictured bottom centre.)
Knock Knock .
Designed the ‘Knock, Knock’ campaign postcard for Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2007 (WA) as part of Black Dog’s involvement in the Bridges Eating Disorders Collaboration Committee here in Perth, which brings together key service providers and stakeholders in the community with the aim of improving both services and awareness of eating disorders. The Butterfly Foundation (VIC) recently initiated a National Collaboration Group which brings together relevant and interested parties throughout Australia. .
Thank you to Che, Mike, Kareen and Eion (Melbourne) for so generously redesigning The Black Dog Project website (2009) and fund raising over $4,000 which enabled books to be given to young people at Youth Focus. Thanks so very much to those who donated on the night.
