Places I Love – Castaways Sculpture Awards, Rockingham

Castaways Sculpture Awards, is the City of Rockingham’s signature arts and cultural event.

Now in its 14th year, Castaways Sculpture Awards did not miss a beat during the depths of the pandemic. With lockdowns a distant memory, many of this year’s works have a more playful theme than recent years.

There are 50 large pieces displayed at the Rockingham Foreshore and Boardwalk.

Castaways’ exhibits are constructed from recycled and repurposed materials, a fantastic opportunity to celebrate recycling and environmentalism through creativity.

Beach matting has been placed along the foreshore making the exhibition accessible to all ages and abilities. Two beach wheelchairs and two beach walkers are available for loan free of charge. Enquire at the Information Tent.

Tactile tours of the exhibition will be conducted by DADAA (Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia) on Thursday 24 October 10.15am – 11.15am and 11.30am – 12.30pm. Tours are free; please contact Jacqueline Homer at DADAA via Jacqueline@dadaa.org.au or 0400111018. AUSLAN interpretation is available on Thursday 27 October, 11.30am – 12.30pm.

This year, Castaways presents Guest Artist, Greg James, from Fremantle’s J Shed. Greg’s numerous public artworks have become well known landmarks around WA. He has three beautiful bronze pieces in this exhibition.

The Ascension, ‘He proceeds to another level’, by Greg James. This large piece stands in isolation on the grassy foreshore.

The Ascension by Greg James

Eternal Harvest by Charles Kavanagh. ‘A farmer takes their life every ten days in Australia. This sculpture is dedicated to the men and women who have been the backbone of our country for generations’. This figure made of steel wire and barbed wire stands alone and looking out to sea.

Eternal Harvest by Charles Kavanagh

Gertrude by Janet Nixon and Ivo Zuvela. ‘The idea for this letterbox was inspired by folklore tales read in childhood. Our aim was to create something unique, functional, yet also inspiring the imagination’. Made from recycled steel, piano timber, bronze and ceramic tiles – quirky Gertrude, a half house and half ornithoid creature looks like she is running up the beach.

Gertrude by Janet Nixon and Ivo Zuvela

Nostalgia by Yuko Takashashi. ‘This work represents my nostalgia for my home country-Japan, by recreating Japanese cultural values in Australia, and portrays the vibrant and diversified lives of migrants firmly rooted in Australian soil’. This exquisite piece is constructed with recycled aluminum conductor cable, recycled plastic bottles and recycled silicone bronze.

Nostalgia by Yukon Takahashi

There are many other serious and whimsical sculptures, including an osprey and its huge nest, a mermaid and wildflowers constructed from plastic bread clips. Here’s a gallery of what you may find!

Rockingham Arts Centre on Kent Street also has an exhibition of 25, intricate and small-scale artwork. It’s a short walk from the foreshore.

And you’ll also find Artwork by Primary School children located at Churchill Park and on the foreshore. Sculptures are made from old toys, plastic and other materials.

The exhibition receives sponsorship from Fremantle Ports, Alcoa Australia and the Water Corporation. Don’t miss this much-loved exhibition.

It runs until Sunday 30 October 2022 and encourages the concept of recycling with art as its vehicle of communication.

* STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey. Jean is a regular feature writer and photographer here on the Shipping News and our Shipping Correspondent. Discover more of her informative Places I Love stories as well as her other stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

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