Perth Observatory Unveils Perth Sky Sculpture Park, Welcoming A New Era of Contemporary Art

The Perth Hills have always been gorgeous, but they’re about to get elevated even further by the official launch of the Perth Sky Sculpture Park, an exciting new community-driven cultural exhibition that will transform the longstanding Perth Observatory into a contemporary art lover's dream.

From Saturday 15 November, the Perth Observatory heritage-listed International Style buildings, domes and surrounding bushland trails will be brightened by fine art sculptures and installations, turning the Bickley Valley into a cultural destination to be admired by locals and visitors alike.

Image Credit: Perth Sky Sculpture Park | Supplied

What Will I See There?

There will be a huge variety of modern and nature-based sculpture works, and the beauty of art is that there’s something for everyone, especially when it’s backdropped by the stars and the trees.

The official launch on Saturday 15 November will see the inaugural Biennial Awards Exhibition opening the park with a bang. Chair and Head Curator of Perth Sky Sculpture Park, Johannes Pannekoek, has described it as “unlike anything else in Australia – a dialogue between contemporary art, nature, and astronomy.”

Works exhibited in the Biennial Awards Exhibition will be displayed for two years, offering long-term opportunities for local and international artists to make a splash and showcase their unique skills. Sculptors from around the world are invited to be a part of WA art history by making submissions to this exhibition debut, which also features Australia’s largest prize pool for contemporary sculpture.

Perth Sky Sculpture Park is a serious celebration of creativity and highlights the importance of accessible art, bringing contemporary artworks closer to outer-metro areas and promising “lasting benefits for our community, our artists, and our local economy,” according to City of Kalamunda Mayor, Margaret Thomas.

Until then, there’s a review exhibition on display in the Perth Observatory to satiate your anticipation, featuring works by WA artists Sam Hopkins, Johannes Pannekoek, Denise Pepper, and Steve Tepper, as well as international artist Anton Forde.

Find out more key dates and events here.