3 years in the making, a massive community-led, international exhibition returns to WA next month

After debuting in the midst of the pandemic back in 2021, the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) makes its triumphant return to Perth and Western Australia next month.

Running from August to October, IOTA is both an international and community-led art exhibition, bringing communities together through craft, culture and collaboration.

The international component of the exhibition will see art from 32 lead artists and groups selected from six Indian Ocean countries: India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, South Africa and Australians, including First Nations peoples and those of diverse heritages.

The international artists will be presented in six locations: John Curtin Gallery (opening August 1); Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (opening August 10); Fremantle Arts Centre (opening August 16); Holmes à Court Gallery @ No.10 (opening August 23); Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Park (opening July 26); and Rockingham Arts Centre (opening August 17).

Alongside the international guests is the community-led festival, which presents over 60 exhibitions, in the process activating more than 300 WA craftspeople across dozens of galleries from Esperance all the way up to Broome.

This year’s theme is ‘Codes in Parallel’, and over the three months there will be a raft of events including keynote speeches, exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions and loads more.

Over the journey IOTA invites the wider community to participate and reflect on the intrinsic value of craft in our lives, across cultures and time, and to consider innovative collaborations and ways that craft can drive future benefits.

“Lotterywest’s grant focuses on access, inclusion and expansion into regional areas, which will feature hubs of free exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations of crafts from artists,” said Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith.

“This far-reaching program highlights the inherent value of craft to all cultures, including a focus on First Nations practice.”

The event is expected to attract over 180,000 participants over the three months, and if you’re keen on being one of them head to indianoceancrafttriennial.com for all the details.

Image Credit: Supplied/WA Shipwrecks Museum