Castaways People’s Choice Award winners announced

The votes are in and the public have spoken – three stunning artworks from the Castaways Sculpture Awards have been recognised as winners of the People’s Choice Award for 2022.  

Now in its 14th year, Castaways is the City of Rockingham’s premier arts and culture event.

Castaways gives emerging and professional artists the opportunity to exhibit their creative skills by designing sculptures made from recycled and repurposed materials.

In the Main Exhibition on the Rockingham Foreshore the public chose Fractured Time by artist Kim Perrier as the winner of the $1000 Fremantle Ports People’s Choice Award. 

Weedy Sea Dragon by Ruth Acton won the $500 Fremantle Ports People’s Choice Award – Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition, while Try Not to Fret It, Go and Express It by Sheoak Grove Primary School won the Fremantle Ports People's Choice Award Trophy - Schools Competition. 

Mayor Deb Hamblin congratulated the People’s Choice Award winners for their creative efforts.  

“The quality of artwork in Castaways this year was outstanding and Kim Perrier, Ruth Acton and the students of Sheoak Grove Primary School should all be immensely proud of their efforts,” Mayor Hamblin said. 

“The City thanks Fremantle Ports for its ongoing support of the Castaways Sculpture Awards and for sponsoring this popular award category.” 

Perrier, who won the People’s Choice last year at Castaways, said he felt honoured to win it again. 

“The sculpture illustrates the 'mother of time' rewinding the clock as numerals spiral down the tapered base, sucked into a black hole where time ceases to exist. Winning the People’s Choice communicates to me that people see the value in my work, so it is very encouraging, thank you.”

Artist Ruth Acton said she too felt honoured to receive the People’s Choice Award for her entry this year, created with a recycled aluminium can and plastic, inspired by the dance of the Weedy Sea Dragon which takes place every year off the coast of Australia. 

“Castaways is always an exciting exhibition and this year was no exception. I would like to thank Fremantle Ports for their ongoing support for Castaways.” 

Ruth Acton's Weedy Sea Dragon which featured in the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition. PIC: City of Rockingham

Sheoak Grove Primary School teacher Tamara Lee said the most rewarding part was the hands-on learning experience it provided for students, with students in kindergarten to Year 6 involved. 

“Our students learned how to consider different sustainable themes and choose a socially sustainable idea that was specifically meaningful to them, which they then collaboratively developed and built into their own expressive work of art,” Lee said.  

In 2023 Castaways will return to the Rockingham Foreshore, Churchill Park and Rockingham Arts Centre from 21 – 29 October. 

Try Not to Fret It, Go and Express It by Sheoak Grove Primary School. PIC: City of Rockingham