A section of The Wharfies’ Mural, 1953–1965, c 1993. By Vi Collings, Sonny Glynn, Evelyn Healy, Pat Kelk Graham, Harry McDonald, Clem Millward, Harry Reade, Ralph Sawyer, Rod Shaw. Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) Collection. Gift from Maritime Union of Australia. Image courtesy ANMM.
This is the story of a 1950s artwork that portrays significant moments in Australia’s wharfie workforce history, while also revealing some lesser-known experiences of various young artists who were forging their careers at that time.
The Wharfies’ Mural is a truly epic artwork – 9.8 metres long and 2.4 metres high – and holds hundreds of hidden stories of what life was like for waterfront workers in the 1950s and 60s.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
