Perth Voice Interactive

WITH a massive mural to complete in record time for Elizabeth Quay’s water playground Fremantle’s J-Shed artists Jenny Dawson and Sandra Hill put the word out to their ceramic artist mates for help.

“Eight different artists were working on it,” Dawson says.

Nyoongar elder and ceramicist Hill has written the story of the lakes that once underpinned Perth, and were central to Aboriginal life prior to white settlement, into the huge work.

Reluctant at first to undertake the commission in such a sensitive area, she relented to ensure it’s pre-colonial history was told, her friend of more than 20 years, Dawson says.

“She consulted with elders all along the way, and they approved what she was doing.”

The mammoth task of installing the massive work is the next step, hopefully in two weeks.

The J-Shed ceramicists are cock-a-hoop after being awarded the commission for the WA government’s premier waterfront development.

But it’s one of a flurry of works, and comes hot on the heels of a massive, 30-metre wall leading to the airport, depicting Aboriginal rainbow spirit the Wagyl: “All made here at J-Shed,” Dawson says, “It’s the biggest to come out of this studio,” she adds.

“It’s also the first time Nyoongar writing was used in an art work.”

Another project close to the hearts of Hill and Dawson is much smaller, but will record an important part of Aboriginal history in the mid 1900s.

“The Coolbaroo League was an Aboriginal music club,” Dawson says.

Hill’s voice will tell the story of the league at a time when Aboriginal people were prohibited from being within 5km of the CBD.

“A pier will have stories and images and Sandra’s vice telling about the league,” Dawson says.

The J-Shed’s success has seen it complete 53 major projects around the metro area and state–but there is just one in its home town Fremantle, part of the Leighton Beach development, Dawson says.