Art Gallery Of WA Upgrade To Include 500-Person Rooftop Venue, Giant Aboriginal Artwork

This week the Art Gallery Of Western Australia (AGWA) shared some exciting news by way of a huge rooftop upgrade for their Perth Cultural Centre hub.

The redevelopment project, titled “Elevate”, will see Perth’s largest rooftop venue (500 pax) sit atop the AGWA building, alongside an open-air sculpture walk featuring works from the State Art Collection, a new internal gallery, sky bridge and external lift.

The coup de grâce will be a massive 34-metre-long artwork by prominent Noongar artist Christopher Pease

Treasurer and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt said, “I’m delighted a huge 34-metre-long artwork by leading Noongar artist Christopher Pease will be a centrepiece for this development and for the first time a Noongar curator will be appointed to AGWA.”

According to Premier Mark McGowan the project, in conjunction with ADCO Constructions, will create 265 jobs, and is anticipated to be completed by January 2021.

In addition to this exciting new upgrade, AGWA also announced:

• The appointment of an additional Indigenous Associate Curator to focus on Noongar art as part of a new curatorial structure that will also feature a curator of Western Australian art.
• Appointment of WA-born, New York-based artist Ian Strange as Guest Artistic Director.
• Extending the tenure of the current Board Chairman, Janet Holmes à Court, for two years until December 31, 2022.
• A new ground floor gallery dedicated to contemporary Aboriginal art.

Check out the video below for an idea of what to expect of the rooftop venue, courtesy of TAG Architects: