At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present, and to those emerging leaders in the community. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.
Always was, always will be.
Galleries are open, 12–5pm. Our exhibitions are always free.
Videos
PICA Art Talks: Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp, Tyrown Waigana
Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp by Wandandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal artist and designer Tyrown Waigana is the second in PICA’s annual series of mural paintings commissioned for ...the walls outside PICA’s public entrance.
Waigana was inspired by the network of wetlands that were once a prominent feature of the landscape that is now Perth, where PICA is situated. An ‘urban wetland’ that was established in Perth’s Cultural Centre in 2010 in recognition and remembrance of its original landscape will be drained and infilled as part of its revamp, due to commence in early 2025.
Reflecting on the incremental disappearance of wetlands across the city, Waigana looks to the Kyooya (Motorbike Frog) – a common green tree frog found in the region – ‘as a metaphor for an abundance of life both pre and post-colonisation.’ The iconic species populates the surfaces of the mural walls, painted against a blue background that hints at the presence of fresh water underneath the city and patterned with spots and patches resembling the skin markings found on the backs of the Kyooya.
Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp celebrates swamps as abundant places, vital for supporting a range of wildlife such as the Kyooya, and ecologically and spiritually significant to the traditional owners. Grounding PICA in its location on Whadjuk Noongar boodja, Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp invites visitors to engage with the stories, histories and forces that continue to shape the area.
‘Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp will be a marker of place and a symbol of traditional Noongar knowledge as well as being a fun, welcoming piece for all ages to enjoy.’ – Tyrown WaiganaShow More
Now Playing
PICA Art Talks: Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp, Tyrown Waigana
Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp by Wandandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal ...
Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp by Wandandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal artist and designer Tyrown Waigana is the second in PICA’s annual series of mural paintings commissioned for ...the walls outside PICA’s public entrance.
Waigana was inspired by the network of wetlands that were once a prominent feature of the landscape that is now Perth, where PICA is situated. An ‘urban wetland’ that was established in Perth’s Cultural Centre in 2010 in recognition and remembrance of its original landscape will be drained and infilled as part of its revamp, due to commence in early 2025.
Reflecting on the incremental disappearance of wetlands across the city, Waigana looks to the Kyooya (Motorbike Frog) – a common green tree frog found in the region – ‘as a metaphor for an abundance of life both pre and post-colonisation.’ The iconic species populates the surfaces of the mural walls, painted against a blue background that hints at the presence of fresh water underneath the city and patterned with spots and patches resembling the skin markings found on the backs of the Kyooya.
Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp celebrates swamps as abundant places, vital for supporting a range of wildlife such as the Kyooya, and ecologically and spiritually significant to the traditional owners. Grounding PICA in its location on Whadjuk Noongar boodja, Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp invites visitors to engage with the stories, histories and forces that continue to shape the area.
‘Cement Frogs the Ghost of a Swamp will be a marker of place and a symbol of traditional Noongar knowledge as well as being a fun, welcoming piece for all ages to enjoy.’ – Tyrown WaiganaShow More
Now Playing
PICA Art Talks, In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to Matrilineal Legacy
In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to Matrilineal Legacy brings together ...
In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to Matrilineal Legacy brings together seven Australian artists who pay homage to the women who have shaped their lives—grandmothers, mothers, artistic matriarchs, leaders, ancestors and ...forebears. It celebrates and acknowledges the vital, transformative and nurturing pathways these women have forged, delving into themes of activism and empowerment through a compelling mix of new and existing works.
Hear from featured artists, Zali Morgan, Darcey Bella Arnold and Sarah Elson as they each go into details about their works.
Lauren Burrow demonstrates the making of "Pressure on the rim of surface running over it" 2025
Exhibiting in PICA’s group exhibition, In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to ...
Exhibiting in PICA’s group exhibition, In Her Footsteps: A Tribute to Matrilineal Legacy, watch artist Lauren Burrow as she demonstrates her technique of using discarded materials such as a bicycle ...and washing machine to create works investigating connections between urban and rural places, and humans and the environment.Show More
Now Playing
Hatched 2024 Artist Talk
Hear from the 2024 Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Award recipients - Vedika ...
Hear from the 2024 Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Award recipients - Vedika Rampal and Lily Trnovsky – as they speak about their works in the Hatched: National Graduate Show 2024 ...and share insights into their artistic challenges, triumphs and efforts to remain agile as emerging artists. Learn more about Rampal’s material installation Pilgrimage II, 2023 and Trnovsky’s ceramic statement works.
The Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards are made possible by funds bequeathed to The University of Western Australia by Dr Harold Schenberg. Our thanks to PICA’s Art 1000 Donors and our Major Exhibition Partner Minderoo Foundation for their generosity which makes Hatched a reality.Show More
Now Playing
PICA's Interdisciplinary Lab: Short Documentary
A three-year partnership with PICA and Creative Australia brought ...
A three-year partnership with PICA and Creative Australia brought together artists from Australia, South Asia and Southeast Asia for the Interdisciplinary Lab – a series of facilitated discussions and practice-sharing ...workshops. The residency ended with several days in inner-city Melbourne where the artists were hosted by Next Wave at Brunswick Mechanics Institute.
To conclude the Interdisciplinary Lab, PICA partnered with the artists, Next Wave and Fancy Films on a short documentary that shares the group’s reflections on the nature of interdisciplinary practice and exchange.Show More
Now Playing
PICA Art Talks: J.D. Penangke
Yandilup is an outdoor mural painting by artist J.D. Penangke ...
Yandilup is an outdoor mural painting by artist J.D. Penangke commissioned for PICA’s new entrance. Titled after the Noongar name of the low lying wetlands area where PICA is located, ...this new site-specific work builds on J.D.’s extensive body of murals and public art across Boorloo (Perth).
Known for her distinct methodologies for mediating space and our ...
Known for her distinct methodologies for mediating space and our relationships to it, Gothe-Snape brings the full force of her conceptual and formal rigour to this new threshold to address ...notions of space, site and hospitality. Gothe-Snape has been working with PICA staff, the organisation’s archives, previous program participants and the architecture to spatialise the new foyer as ‘a site of function, relation and history, creating a distinct environment of colour, form and expectation; a place of both conviviality and transition.’
IT IS THE COLOUR OF AN IDEA THAT WILL NOT COMPLETE ITSELF was commissioned through the generosity of the Ungar Family Foundation.
Agatha Gothe-Snape
IT IS THE COLOUR OF AN IDEA THAT WILL NOT COMPLETE ITSELF
Video: Edwin SiitShow More
Now Playing
PICA Art Talks: Diana Baker Smith
Falling Towards Another (A Score for the Void) by Gadigal ...
Falling Towards Another (A Score for the Void) by Gadigal (Sydney)-based artist Diana Baker Smith is the second Judy Wheeler Commission, PICA’s annual series of site-specific works that respond to ...the history and site of PICA.
For this new commission, Baker Smith has created a graphic score and live performance in response to PICA’s iconic first-floor mezzanine level. The balcony corridor overlooks PICA’s Central Gallery and acts as an internal circulation loop, linking the administrative offices with shared spaces and artist studios.
The Judy Wheeler Commission is made possible by the generosity of the Simpson Family.
Falling Towards Another (A Score for the Void)
Diana Baker Smith
Dancers: Sofie Burgoyne, Emma Fishwick, Isabella Stone
Choreography: Diana Baker Smith, Sofie Burgoyne
Textile Consultant: Leah Giblin
Design assistance: Zoe Gojnich, Kait Polkinghorne
Clothing: Kowtow @kowtowclothing
Video: Edwin Sitt
Making contemporary performance in 'Catastrophes' with Renée Newman and Ella Hetherington
'Catastrophes' is an autobiographical contemporary performance in ...
'Catastrophes' is an autobiographical contemporary performance in which Renée Newman and Ella Hetherington play themselves. In this educational video, the Boorloo (Perth)-based theatre makers discuss the performance conventions, lighting, set ...and sound design behind the show.
'Catastrophes' was commissioned by PICA and supported by PICA’s Art Commissioners and the WA Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. It was presented at PICA from 16–23 August 2023.
In 2023, PICA and Marrugeku presented the world premiere of Burrbgaja ...
In 2023, PICA and Marrugeku presented the world premiere of Burrbgaja Yalirra 2 – a powerful triple bill of new dance works that traced histories of migration, adaptation, and survival ...in two fiercely physical dance solos and an awe-inspiring duo.
Marrugeku is Australia’s leading Indigenous and intercultural dance theatre company. PICA spoke to Marrugeku’s Co-Artistic Directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain about the unique multi-year development program for their ongoing triple bill series, and how the performing arts can help build understanding between cultures.Show More
Now Playing
Hatched: National Graduate Show 2023 with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran & Paean Sarkar
'Hatched' is Australia’s only national survey of recent art school ...
'Hatched' is Australia’s only national survey of recent art school graduates, showcasing work from the most exciting emerging artists from across the nation.
Since 2010, PICA has offered the ...Schenberg Awards as part of the Hatched program, with a total of $50,000 prize money for three artists to invest in their careers and develop their artistic practice. The Dr Harold Schenberg Art Fellowship of $35,000 is awarded to the most outstanding Hatched work. These awards are made possible by funds bequeathed to the University of Western Australia by Dr Harold Schenberg.
Paean Sarkar from the Queensland University of Technology was the recipient of the Dr Harold Schenberg Art Fellowship and caught up with Judge and Sydney artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran.
The Schenberg Awards are made possible by funds bequeathed to the University of Western Australia by Dr Harold Schenberg.
Credit: 'Hatched: National Graduate Show 2023’, installation view, 2023, video: Edwin SittShow More
Now Playing
Robert Andrew – Held within a word
'Held within a word' by Meanjin (Brisbane)-based artist Robert Andrew ...
'Held within a word' by Meanjin (Brisbane)-based artist Robert Andrew combines kinetic installations with programmable technologies and natural materials such as wood, stone, ochres and soil.
A descendant of the ...Yawuru people whose Country is of the Broome region of the Kimberley, Western Australia, Andrew’s installations are expressions of experiences deeply rooted in his own family’s history and his ongoing recovery of knowledge about his family and identity.
'Emanations' by Italian artist Rosa Barba is their first solo ...
'Emanations' by Italian artist Rosa Barba is their first solo presentation in Australia and features a selection of works from the last 10 years, including 16mm and 35mm film, sculpture ...and installation.
Meanjin (Brisbane) based artist and recipient of the inaugural Judy ...
Meanjin (Brisbane) based artist and recipient of the inaugural Judy Wheeler Commission Elizabeth Willing uses food as inspiration and a material in her installation 'Roost'. Working across mediums, Willing explores ...the role of food in our daily lives, creating works that engage audiences through sight, smell, taste, and touch.
The Judy Wheeler Commission is made possible by the generosity of the Simpson Family.
Delving into family history and themes of migration and colonialism, ...
Delving into family history and themes of migration and colonialism, hear from Nathan Beard as he discusses his exhibition 'A Puzzlement'.
Now Playing
Pilar Mata Dupont – Las Hormigas/The Ants
Hear from Latinx visual artist and filmmaker Pilar Mata Dupont as she ...
Hear from Latinx visual artist and filmmaker Pilar Mata Dupont as she discusses her exhibition 'Las Hormigas/The Ants'. Told across video, photography, and performance, the exhibition is a vivid exploration ...of intergenerational storytelling and the fragmentation of memory.
