Today, a friend and I decided to discover the inspiring legacy of Fremantle artist, Dawn Meader. We drove into Freo, found a park right across from the Moores Building, and were delighted to discover that entry was free — woohoo! 

We walked into a setting that was indeed inspiring. The ambience of the building mirrored the pieces on display: vibrant, warm, eclectic, historical, and inviting. Eclectic is the keyword, as Dawn’s works shared so many different stories, moods, and themes.

One moment, we were moved by the maternal image of a mother and child, accompanied by the description, “Gentleness.” It took us back to our time as new mums and how it felt holding our newborns close — feeding and nurturing them during such a personal and precious stage of life. 

Next came the fun, cheeky, and lively works such as ‘Benny the Smelly’ and ‘The Adventures of Charlie Moon’. Their energetic, colourful imagery and playful action put us in a similarly joyful mood. The teacup images told countless stories, with illustrations nestled within and spilling outside the cups. Our interpretations differed greatly, as we each resonated with them in our own way, connecting through our personal life experiences. The spiritual and magical pieces invited us into another place and mood, filled with mystery, peace, and awe — and at times, tinged with sadness. A mosaic image Dawn created for the baptismal font during the recent renovation of the historic cathedral in Geraldton, added yet another layer to the depth and diversity of her work. 

We left feeling grateful we had discovered this gem among the FRINGE events and would highly recommend others get there before it finishes on January 26th. Thank you to Dawn’s “people,” particularly her son, Charlie Meader, for sharing Dawn’s beautiful work.