The City of Fremantle Art Collection is the largest municipal art collection in WA with over 1,500 pieces from historical works to contemporary paintings, prints, photographs and ceramics by WA artists, focusing on Fremantle makers and subjects.
For further enquiries or to make a donation contact André Lipscombe, City of Fremantle Art Collection Curator at andrel@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
Print Collection
The Collection features an impressive number of Australian prints and artists’ books reflecting the diversity and complexity of the medium, and includes all winning works from the Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award by artists such as Raymond Arnold, Rebecca Beardmore, Pat Brassington, Damiano Bertoli, Marion Manifold, Mike Parr and Alick Tipoti.
Donations
The City of Fremantle Art Collection has evolved over the decades through the generous donations of artists, artists’ families and art collectors. Highlights include a stunning series of paintings and drawings by Australian Impressionist Kathleen O’Connor (1876–1968), donated by the artist’s family, and a remarkable gift by Nyoongar Elder Ken Colbung of Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri’s (1929–1984) painting, Aboriginal people meeting first white settlers at the Swan River.
More than 150 works have been donated by prominent collectors, including works by John Coburn, Lloyd Rees, William Dobell, Guy Grey-Smith, Ken Wadrop, Colin Lanceley, Sidney Nolan and Mary Moore.
Displays and Exhibitions
Key works from the City of Fremantle Art Collection are now on display at Walyalup Civic Centre at Walyalup Koort. The Collection is shared with audiences through exhibitions at Fremantle Arts Centre and through loans to other organisations and exhibitions.
Recent exhibition highlights include Tania Ferrier: Pop Porn, Hundreds & Thousands, Deanna Hitti: Object of the Game and Watch this space!
Watch André Lipscombe chat about the Collection
View the Collection online
You can view a selection of works from the City of Fremantle Art Collection via the Collections WA portal. This new resource connects the public with stories of WA’s unique environment, history, culture, and identity via the cultural, creative and natural material held in collections all over the state.
The City was one of ten organisations involved with the initial pilot and launch of Collections WA. More than 350 works from the City of Fremantle Art Collection are currently available to view online. More works will be added in the coming months.
Being There: Kathleen O’Connor in Paris exhibition opening, 2018. Photography by Jessica Wyld