Across Western Australia, artists have stepped up to celebrate sustainability by transforming discarded materials into art as part of the 18th Castaways Sculpture Awards.
Running from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, November 1 across three exhibitions across the City of Rockingham, this year’s Awards see the artists compete for a total prize pool of $27,250, with winners announced on opening night.
This year’s festivities invited artists of all skill levels to reimagine recycled and repurposed materials as sculptural works, focusing on innovation, artistic expression, and the sustainability at the core of the Awards.
23 finalists were selected for the Main Exhibition, set to line the Rockingham Foreshore, while 24 finalists will feature in the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition at Rockingham Arts Centre. 10 local Rockingham schools are also set to showcase their work in the Schools Exhibition in nearby Churchill Park.
An independent panel of artists and representatives from the City of Rockingham selected the finalists, with Castaways Curator Lyn Di Ciero noting that the selection process was thorough but rewarding.
“A lot of research and dialogue goes into understanding each submission,” she said. “We engage closely with artists to fully appreciate their intent. It’s never an easy task for the panel, but being selected for Castaways can be a pivotal moment in an artist’s career, particularly for those just starting out.”
Visitors can expect a diverse program of artworks, including compressed textiles, television antennas, recycled mufflers, pool testing discs and salvaged swimming goggles.
Finalists:
Main Exhibition: Sean Adamas, Richard Aitken, Alan and Loren Brinck, Sheryl Chant, Joy Francis, Claire Garcia-Webb, Francesca Geromino, Chamonix Higginson, Ariel Katzir, Rene Lehner, Todd Marshall, Tia Monument, Andrew Mullet, Marite Norris, Kim Perrier, Courtney Smith, Anita Staaden, Ed Stafford, Liliana Stafford, Ben Veljacich, Mike Walmsley, Andrew Wilmott and Georgia Zoric.
Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition: Gary Aitken, Tracie Anderson, Margaret Beechey Rothery, Sherri Brown, Carol Clitheroe, Marilyn Davis-Moore, Angela Delury, Tich Dixon, Sky Edwards, Jamie Flunder (aka Doodles in Transit), Francesca Geromino, Joan Johnson, Margaret Kristofich, Gail McCahon, Carolyn McIntosh, Janice O’Meara, Tony Pankiw, Garry Robson, Pip Rundle, Linda Smith, Anita Staaden, Liliana Stafford, Pam Tuckett and Pene Turner.
Schools Exhibition: Alta-1 Rockingham, Charthouse Primary School, Cooloongup Primary School, Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre, Rockingham Beach Primary School, Safety Bay Primary School, Safety Bay Senior High School, Settlers Primary School, SMYL Community College and South Coast Baptist College.
The 2026 Castaways Sculpture Awards exhibit across the City of Rockingham from Saturday, October 24, to Sunday, November 1. Head online for more information and the full list of finalists.
