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Neglected areas are revived with stunning portrait murals
The Centenary Galleries at The Art Gallery of Western Australia, which have been closed off for two decades, just got a fresh makeover thanks to Australian artist Rone. He took 12 neglected rooms, like an old mail room and a shuttered news agency, and filled them with his stunning murals of women’s faces. His exhibition, called TIME • RONE, encourages visitors to explore these long-forgotten corners of mid-century Australia.
After three years in the making, the exhibition of portrait murals has finally opened up both levels of the Centenary Galleries to the public for the first time in twenty years. Each room feels like a time capsule, with peeling paint and leftover furniture just as they were left behind. The old switchboard room still has its original gear, cables, and chairs, while the sewing workroom is filled with rows of sewing machines and bits of fabric strewn across the tables. Rone pays tribute to the history of these spaces and the people who once worked there with his haunting portraits painted on walls, doors, cabinets, and bookcases.
“TIME is an open-ended narrative – there’s no right or wrong way to experience the space, just trails that I hope visitors will pick up. People make their own story, and every person will experience it differently,” shares Rone.
The Centenary Galleries really sparked Rone’s creativity, making it the perfect backdrop for his dreamy portraits. Each space invites viewers to rediscover these forgotten spaces and find beauty in their history.
Rone’s amazing portrait murals are paired with a soundtrack crafted by composer Nick Batterham. Guests can also enjoy immersive dining experiences, check out a RONE store, and relax in a fully designed bar inspired by RONE. Don’t miss out—TIME • RONE is open for viewing until September 30, 2024.