Perth Voice Interactive

THIS year’s Revealed could be one of the best yet.

It’s a vibrant, fun explosion of colour with the vast majority of artworks already snapped up by eagle-eyed buyers (that’s usually a good sign the exhibition has been a hit).

First held in 2008, the annual exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre showcases contemporary Aboriginal art from across WA with an emphasis on new and emerging talent.

There’s also an excellent WA Aboriginal Art Market, with more than 30 stalls, held in the picturesque FAC grounds.

I’ve been to a few Revealed over the years, and I would say this is the most fun and accessible yet.

From a massive snake made out of cloth and materials (it looked a bit like a giant draught excluder) to hard hats with colourful aboriginal designs, the artworks were highly original and you were entertained at every turn.

But entertaining doesn’t mean frivolous or low quality, and some of the paintings in the larger rooms were stunning with great emotional depth.

I particularly like when traditional Aboriginal landscapes are imbued with a spiritual or cosmic element, giving them a transcendent and mystical vibe. 

This was especially evident in the ”department of justice” section – artworks created by folk who learned to paint while in prison.

The landscape paintings Smoky Sky, Grass Tree and Elephant Mound, and Many Coloured Landscapes were almost dream-like with incandescent colours.

They were painted by a veteran Yamatji/Noongar artist, whose name was withheld for the exhibition.

“I started in Fremantle Prison in the 80s with a lot of great artists, whose work is still there,” they said.

“I have become one of the last of that era, who was taught the South West style of painting, known as Carrolup Style.

“You must have your own style, that’s what every artist said in Fremantle Gaol. So I developed my own style.

“I keep painting because I can – a life skill that once starts gathers momentum and expands your whole viewpoint on all aspects of your own identity.”

 Revealed is the largest showcase of Aboriginal art in WA and this year’s exhibition features nearly 70 artists from 27 art centres scattered across the state and more than 150 artworks.

There’s also several independent artists from Fremantle and Perth including Celeste Haji-Ali, Melissa Riley and Michael Banks.

This year is the first time Revealed has been run by an Aboriginal-led body – Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA – and they’ve certainly delivered the goods. The exhibition is ‘ethical’ with 100 per cent of proceeds from sales going directly to the artist or art centre. 

There’s still time to catch Revealed at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Finnerty Street, before it winds up on August 4. For more details see fac.org.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK