Welcome to Boorloo Contemporary
Perth Festival acknowledges the Noongar people who continue to practise values, language, beliefs and knowledge on kwobidak boodjar. Noongar people remain the spiritual and cultural birdiyangara of this place and we honour and respect the caretakers and custodians and the vital role Noongar people play for our community and our Festival to flourish. We also acknowledge all First Nations people, whose contributions make our Festival culturally and artistically richer. Our hearts are happy that you are here, on the traditional lands of Whadjuk, part of the Bibbulmun nation and its people.
In 2025 Boorloo Contemporary introduced a bold new platform for large-scale commissions and presentations, one that celebrates the work of First Nations artists from both here in Western Australia and beyond. This year’s Boorloo Contemporary commissions deepen the program’s commitment to artists who defy convention, those who move fluidly between mediums, who reimagine the structures of art-making and who bring their worlds into view. Through collaboration and fearless experimentation, Boorloo Contemporary contributes to reshaping the contemporary art landscape, both locally and globally. Wesfarmers is proud to play a part in supporting this important initiative that places culture and Country at the heart of Perth Festival. Discover innovative and immersive experiences that transform East Perth Power Station and Boorloo Bridge and take place inside galleries at PICA and PS Art Space.
Boorloo Contemporary is an opportunity to commission and present works at scale, predominantly from First Nations artists on this continent, and eventually including other artists in Australia’s immediate geographic region – works that speak both from and to our region in their own visual languages and connected narratives. It is important, and timely, that this new commissioning initiative is delivered in Western Australia, which is uniquely positioned in relation to Southeast Asia considering proximity and shared time zones. These diverse geographic regions encompass a vast range of countries and languages from the largest Aboriginal language group in Australia – the Noongar People in the Southwest – to remote communities and beyond to First Nations and other artists across the Indian Ocean Rim. Stemming from ongoing conversations between curators, artists and arts workers, Boorloo Contemporary emerged as a dynamic platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and creative expressions of First Nations artists. Rooted on Whadjuk Boodjar in Boorloo/Perth, the initiative will grow to rekindle connections with peers across the Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific regions, fostering a rich and interconnected cultural dialogue. Boorloo Contemporary champions a wide range of artistic practices, emphasising the work of artists who challenge conventions, transcend boundaries and reimagine possibilities within and without traditional arts institutions. By creating space for innovative and experimental approaches, the platform not only highlights underrepresented perspectives but also contributes to reshaping the global arts landscape through collaboration, inclusivity and bold creativity. The program will delve deeply into a variety of creative dimensions in the coming years, including the transformative interplay of light and sound, the power and intimacy of ceremony and the rich tradition of storytelling as a means of cultural connection. These offerings will unfold through a series of exhibitions, performances and events – some hosted in traditional art galleries, others taking place in unexpected locations throughout the city.
Helen Carroll , Wesfamers Arts
Perth Festival Noongar Cultural Authority Council Roma Yibiyung Winmar, Vivienne Binyarn Hansen, Richard Walley, Barry McGuire & Mitchella Waljin Hutchins
Anna Reece , Perth Festival Artistic Director Chloe Ogilvie , Perth Festival Artistic Associate
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