Hans Arkeveld, Midland Junction (detail), 1988, carbon crayon on paper. Image courtesy of the artist.
Building Fabric, presented in Midland Junction Arts Centre’s East Gallery, features the work of Hans Arkeveld, Madeleine Clear, Allon Cook, Phillip Cook, Eva Fernández, Nigel Hewitt, Ben Joel, Jessica Jubb, Norma MacDonald, Cyndy Moody, Moorditj Maaman Men’s Group, Sue Starcken, Jude Taylor and Richard Woldendorp.
When restoring a space, we reflect on what has come before.
Emerging from a two-year heritage renovation, Midland Junction Arts Centre is celebrating its history, the land on which it is built and the rich stories of the people who are part of the ‘fabric’ of the region.
Midland Junction Arts Centre invites the public to connect with its creative spaces, 11am -3pm 30 November in an Open Day featuring a series of drop-in activities and exhibitions curated to share the story of Midland Junction and its community.
New works by invited artists are shown alongside historical information and works on loan from Collections. The artworks have been selected to tell a story of Midland Junction’s growth, from a rich natural habitat nestled between the hills, the Swan (Derbarl Yerrigan) and Helena rivers (Mandoon) to a Junction of industry and learning.
Taking inspiration from the region’s iconic landforms and architectural heritage, invited artists form a shared experience of the fabric of history connected with significant places that have contributed to the identity of the region.
Named Midland Junction in 1901, what is now known as Midland emerged from a tent city built on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, a significant meeting place with sites saturated with the stories of Aboriginal custodianship of over 60,000 years. With the establishment of the Midland Railway Company in 1895 the region’s population and infrastructure grew rapidly. Along the banks of the river the agricultural industry was blossoming, the rail connected Midland to the sea and inland farms and Midland became known as a place of industry and makers. In 1896 the Midland Junction School was established and to today it has always been a place of learning.
The artworks in Building Fabric share a journey of personal and collective stories from loss of habitat, the impact of industry, cultivation of the land, to reconnections and places which support, connect and educate.
Building Fabric is complemented by Interior, an exhibition in the west gallery featuring leading WA designers; an artist residency presenting the work of Mollie Edgecombe, a painter and designer who grew up in the Swan Valley on the Edgecombe Brother’s vineyard; a historical drop-in session with the Midland and Districts Historical Society where people are invited to bring in photographs and stories of their connection to Midland Junction and a display of hundreds of primary school student artwork depicting their ideas to protect local waterways.
Building Fabric will be open and free to the public at Midland Junction Arts Centre (MJAC) from Sat 30 Nov until Sun 16 Feb 2025.
Please note MJAC is closed to the public from 23 Dec, reopening on 7 Jan 2025.
Previous image: Nigel Hewitt, The Junction, 1995, mixed media on paper, mounted on calico covered board. City of Swan Collection.
