Rose Holdaway Midwest Artist

The Universe Unites Reconciliation Art Project

This was a Reconciliation Art Project, dreamed up by LCP project officer Lorraine Lambert and funded by the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre, DIA Reconciliation Council and ICRAR (International Centre for Radio Astronomy and Research), CSIRO and Juvenile Justice with installation work contributed by Shane Crothers Homes. The projects aim was to produce three mosaic tiled satellite discs, one large one to be situated at the University Centre Geraldton and two smaller discs at OSCCAR (after School Care).  The artwork represents the Aboriginal night sky,  and a scientific view, and illustrate the necessary parallels between events in the sky, those on earth and those which occur in human culture. The project coincided with Western Australia’s SKA project. The artwork for the Aboriginal component was drawn by Yamaji Elder, Olive Boddington. I adapted Olive's drawing into a format for mosaic and  designed the complimentary scientific view.  Mosaic workshops were held across the Midwest Region, where I had participants work on portions of the design, which I later assembled in Geraldton. I traveled as far as Murchison and Mt Magnet, facilitating the mosaic workshops with young and old. 

In 2013 I was contracted by the University of Western Australia and the City of Geraldton, to work with Geraldton school groups to produce artwork for Sohan Ariel-Heyes in the creation of the film Luminous Dreams.

As Geraldton resident artist for the project, I facilitated workshops with Midwest students, in conjunction with UWA’s Aspire program. Nine workshops were held over a five day period involving five local schools (eight workshops in Geraldton and one in Mullewa) where images were produced for the film projection on the Geraldton silos.

Lost in Geraldton

Lost was an art project I did as part of the regional tour of Shiver, a contemporary dance and theatre composition created by West Australian choreographer Danielle Micich, and produced by Performing Lines WA. Shiver played at the Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton, on September 29th, 2012.

 My project consisted of a pop-up installation in Fitzgerald St and a display and installation at the Queens Park Theatre which followed contributions of 'lost' files by 100 Geraldton residents. 

 I had little notion of the depth of sadness that might be revealed to me in the course of this project. There were occasions when I was bought to tears by the experiences of participants. This is something of what I learned about 'Lost'.

 Each person carries their own interpretation of ‘lost’ and this may alter as circumstances and life experience change. A loss may seem minor to others, but still be life transforming; a loss can be trivialized yet still have deep personal significance and cause grief. Some losses are tragedies, horrific, resonating, cruel and heart-breaking. Loss is an enigma; it is unique and universal at the same time. 'Lost' is sad but it can be joyful. Lost can also be found. We are all so different yet we are all the same.

The Love Tree, Nukara Farm, Nanson

In 2015 I was contracted by Phil and Donna Blakeway of Nukara Farm, Nanson, to work with 200 Nagle College students to decorate material found onsite.  I chose a felled tree. The resultant ‘love tree’ was painted in three days of workshops with groups of 10 students per session. The tree was then 'planted' at the back of the concert area.

City Vibrancy Initiative- West-enders

In 2014 I was commissioned by the City of Greater Geraldton, as part of the City Vibrancy Program, on a community art project to development a mural design for the CBD. The design followed conversations with people who use the West-end and the resultant mural ‘West-enders’ features 10 individuals who took part.

The Rescued Rubbish Art Project

Funded by CGG artist funding, the Rescued Rubbish Art Project consisted of four days of combined artist and community workshops, followed by a weekend exhibition, allowing Geraldton folk the opportunity to rescue something that would have been discarded, and give it new life.

I spent weeks prior, collecting 'goods' from Geraldton Op-shops and  Midwest Disaster Relief. I took only the things they were rejecting for sale. The things that they were sending to the landfill!

Participants brought their junk and an open mind and the rewards were spectacular.