Imagining a Resilient Future: The Rising Tides Exhibition
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is showcasing the power of community art to envision a resilient coastline in the face of rising tides. The “Rising Tides: Imagining Coastal Resilience” exhibition, held in Hamilton Hill, features a compelling collection of artworks by UWA School of Design students and community members from the Cockburn region. This unique collaboration blends design, community art, and science to explore innovative solutions for coastal resilience.
Collaboration for Coastal Solutions
The exhibition is a collaborative effort co-hosted by Associate Professor Natasha Pauli from UWA’s School of Agriculture and Environment and lecturer Daniel Jan Martin from the UWA School of Design. It’s part of the UWA Oceans Institute’s Better Oceans Program, a research project that utilizes creative community engagement to address coastal resilience challenges.
Community Voices Captured Through Art
Community members contributed collages, textiles, and photographs expressing their personal connections to the Cockburn coastline, highlighting its social and ecological significance. The exhibition celebrates these diverse perspectives, showcasing the community’s deep-rooted relationship with the coastal environment from Fremantle to Naval Base.
Student Designs for a Changing Coastline
UWA landscape architecture students, under the guidance of Mr. Martin, focused their design studio projects on three key coastal sites: Fremantle Esplanade, Catherine Point, and Woodman Point. Their innovative designs, featured in the exhibition and a new publication titled “Rising Tides,” provide a glimpse into the potential futures of these coastal areas. The students’ work reflects a commitment to community values and addresses the challenges of a changing coastline.
Interactive Art Experience
The exhibition offers an interactive element, inviting visitors to create their own collages on Sunday, April 27th. Materials will be provided, encouraging audience participation and fostering a deeper connection to the themes of coastal resilience and community art.
Visit the Exhibition
The “Rising Tides: Imagining Coastal Resilience” exhibition is open to the public from Sunday, April 27th, to Thursday, May 1st, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall. Admission is free. For more details about the exhibition and the collage activity, please visit the event page.
A Collaborative Initiative
This impactful project is funded by the UWA Oceans Institute’s Better Oceans Program and endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Action. The Rising Tides Studio is led by Mr. Martin and Rosie Halsmith from the UWA School of Design, with support from the City of Cockburn and the City of Fremantle. This collaboration exemplifies UWA’s commitment to community engagement and research for a sustainable future.
Continuing the Conversation on Coastal Resilience
The Rising Tides exhibition serves as a platform for ongoing dialogue about the future of our coastlines. By bringing together students, community members, and researchers, UWA fosters innovative thinking and collaborative action towards building a more resilient coastal environment.
Learn More and Get Involved
To further explore the themes of community art and coastal resilience, we encourage you to visit the UWA Oceans Institute website and the UWA School of Design website. Consider participating in community initiatives focused on coastal preservation in your area.
