Information

The Fremantle Biennale is committed to ongoing learning and adaptability with respect to access, cultural diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone feels welcome and can participate in our festival.

The Fremantle Biennale offers assistive services to support people participating in our program and events, and a variety of ways to access them. Visit the Access Program or look on each event page for the following icons to see what is on offer.

Companion cards

We welcome companion card holders at all our events. Please contact bookings@fremantlebiennale.com.au to make a companion card ticket bookings.

Contact

If you have any feedback or access requirements you would like to speak to us about, please email bookings@fremantlebiennale.com.au and we can arrange to email or call you.

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Principal Partners

Presenting Partners

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STAFF

Tom Mùller – Artistic Director, Co-Founder & CEO

Tom is an established multi-disciplinary artist with an active international practice spanning the realms of site-responsive and temporal projects. His work has been included in major exhibitions and institutions including The National at Carriageworks, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Adelaide Biennial, Biennale de la Chaux-de-Fonds, and the upcoming Northern Alps Triennale in Japan. He has been the recipient of multiple Australia Council grants, the inaugural winner of the Qantas Contemporary Art prize, and a mid-career fellowship from the Department of Culture and the Arts. In 2009, he was awarded the Basel international residency program through the Christoph Merian Stiftung. Tom was mentored by the Russian-American conceptual artist Ilya Kabakov in New York, and studied Anthroposophy at Emerson College in London. Tom co-founded the Fremantle Biennale in 2017.

Katherine Wilkinson – Program Director

Katherine is a creative producer and curator working across socially engaged, site-responsive, live and visual contemporary art practices. Alongside her role as the Program Director for the Fremantle Biennale, she works on independent projects and as a Creative Producer with Perth Festival (Killa, 2025; EverNow 2024; Witness Stand, 2021; Five Short Blasts, 2019). Previously she was the Curator at DADAA, and the Special Projects Curator at Fremantle Arts Centre. Her most recent projects centre place, water and care. Katherine has worked on collaborative projects, and held positions with organisations including; Artsource, International Art Space, the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, the Perth Public Art Foundation, the City of Melville, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Venice Biennale. Katherine works, lives and swims on the lands and waters of the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation.

Eli Smith – Production Manager

Eli Smith is a veteran of artist services. A practising visual artist, Eli combines a creative and collaborative approach with over 20 years of technical expertise. Eli has brought large-scale arts and infrastructure projects to fruition. Highlights of these include managing an installation team on the WA Museum – Boola Bardip renovation project, managing three institutional collection relocations, coordinating a significant renovation project at Latrobe Regional Gallery, Victoria, and working as the touring exhibition manager for René Magritte: the Revealing Image in Australia and Hong Kong. As an artist, he won the inaugural Perrine Contemporary Art Award, was a finalist in the Lester Prize, and is collected nationally.

Odetta Davison – Creative Producer

George Wesley – Producer

Anaïs Bellini – Creative Learning Producer & Communications Coordinator

Katrina Sparkes – Event & Communications Coordinator

Ilona McGuire – Associate Artist

Ilona McGuire is a proud young Noongar/Kungarakan woman whose ancestry extends from Whadjuk Country to the Fitzmaurice region of the Northern Territory. Currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at Curtin University, Ilona’s artistic direction was inborn with creative family members inspiring her to develop her talents. As a wide reader and humanitarian, Ilona’s artistic process is informed, consultative and accessible. Recurring themes such as cultural identity, spirituality and traditional versus contemporary Indigenous values reflects her own learning journey as a grounded young Indigenous woman in an increasingly ephemeral world. Ilona was the inaugural artist for First Lights and presented Moombaki as part of the 2021 Fremantle Biennale.

Thea Verall – Bookkeeper

BOARD

Pete Stone – Chair

Pete is a Fremantle local with 20 years of arts management, programming and production experience. Pete has a unique understanding and love of Fremantle and how it connects with its local and global community. The role that cross-organisational collaboration can play in unlocking the potential to realise ambitious programming is one of Pete’s driving passions. He is strongly committed to connecting more people to the arts through inviting and challenging programming. Pete’s previous positions include General Manager at Fremantle Arts Centre, Manager of Arts and Culture at the City of Fremantle, Producer at Perth Festival and Creative Producer, Arts and Culture at the City of Melville. His current role is Director, Creative Arts and Community at the City of Fremantle. Previous board experience includes terms as board member and President of West Australian Music (WAM). Pete has also worked on contemporary music grant assessment panels for state government funding.

Ariane Palassis – Deputy Chair

Receiving her Masters in Architecture from The University of Western Australia gave Ariane a broad skill base coupled with an appreciation for materiality and the details of construction. While practising, Palassis worked on a wide range of projects, from new residential and commercial developments to conservation works on some of WA’s most important heritage sites. These include Fremantle Prison, Sunset Hospital and the Midland Railway Workshops. In developing her own art practice, Ariane has continued to follow her architectural interest in the analysis of place as a repository of human memory and experience. Being Australian with Greek heritage, the displaced old-world rituals and the value of family mythologies and cultural traditions have played a large role in her work.

Craig Yaxley – Treasurer

Craig is a tax partner with KPMG, with over 30 years’ experience in finance, tax and accounting. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Chartered Tax Advisor, and a member of the Board of Taxation. Craig was previously a board member and treasurer of Black Swan State Theatre Company, and is a member of the KPMG Perth Art Committee.

Marcus Holmes – Secretary

Marcus is Principal of law firm Land Equity Legal. Marcus’ key role on the board is assisting with governance, compliance, risk management and developing and reviewing artists’ and sponsors’ contracts. He works with Aboriginal boards on similar work in the Native Title arena, including in development of corporate policies and procedures. Marcus is also involved in working with local government engaging with the Nyoongar native title settlement and Victoria’s proposed treaty.

Prof Chanelle van den Berge

Professor Chanelle van den Berg is a Binjareb Noongar woman and the Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations at Murdoch University. With a background in primary and early childhood education as well as extensive experience in Indigenous leadership, she is committed to embedding First Nations excellence across the institution. Professor van den Berg has led the development and implementation of Murdoch’s First Nations Strategy, with a vision to establish the university as the First Choice for First Nations peoples in research, education, and engagement. Since being at Murdoch, she has developed and led the Indigenous and non-Indigenous student success strategic initiative, strengthened enabling pathways, drove the establishment of the School of Indigenous Knowledges, overseen strong growth in Indigenous student and staff numbers and strengthened culturally responsive practices and engagement across the university. Her leadership has positioned Murdoch as a sector leader in community engagement, student support, and Indigenous-led teaching and learning.

Ella McNeill

Senior arts management professional and independent consultant across arts, not for profit, impact and philanthropy, specialising in strategy and business planning. Previously the Director of Arts & Culture at Minderoo Foundation, one of Australasian’s largest philanthropies, and CEO of the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival, Ella’s experience spans the private, public and NFP sector, working with some of the largest art organisations around the globe. Passionate about creating meaningful social change and a better world for us all to live in, in particular through artistic means.

Sharyn Egan

Sharyn Egan is a renowned Noongar artist whose work explores themes of identity, healing, and connection to Country. Known for her use of natural materials and traditional techniques, Sharyn’s installations and artworks have been featured in major exhibitions such as the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial. Her artistic contributions to KARRIKIN will focus on creating visual motifs that connect the audience to the cultural and environmental narratives of Noongar Country, bringing depth and authenticity to the performance.

Spencer Flay

Spencer is a Fremantle local and a partner at the global law firm Clifford Chance. He has joined the board after providing the Fremantle Biennale with legal advice for a number of years, including in setting up First Lights. Spencer is passionate about making the arts accessible to all, and in particular within the Fremantle community. He has previously held a number of board positions, most recently as a member of the board for the Fremantle Language Development Centre.

ADVISORY PANEL

The Advisory group is a panel of experts from across Australia who advise the Fremantle Biennale on matters of artistic, ethical and cultural programming. Our 2022-23 Advisors include: The Advisory group is a panel of experts from across Australia who advise the Fremantle Biennale on matters of artistic, ethical and cultural programming. Our 2024-25 panel members are:

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah (b. 1977) is an artist living and working on Wadjuk Nyungar country, on a cattle property in the Peel region of Western Australia. Working primarily in sculpture and installation, he explores the intersections of identity, culture and the natural world. Living and working in an agricultural environment, his practice offers alternative perspectives across diverse, and often disparate communities. Abdul-Rahman graduated from Curtin University in 2012. Selected projects include Adelaide Biennial 2016 and 2022 (AGSA); Dark Horizons 2017 (Pataka Art Museum NZ); The National 2019 (MCA); Everything is true 2021 (John Curtin Gallery – solo exhibition, Perth Festival); Land Abounds 2023 (Ngununggula); Tarrawarra Biennial 2023 and Uchiboso Arts Festival, Chiba Japan 2024. In 2018 he was shortlisted with Abdul Abdullah for the 58th Venice Biennale. He was a board member for Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (2017-21); Public Art advisor, City of Perth (2018); set designer for intercultural dance company Marrugeku (2019,2023) and completed a fellowship with Regional Arts (WA) (2021/23). Abdul-Rahman’s work is held in public, corporate, university and private collections. In 2023 he was appointed to the council for The National Gallery of Australia. Abdul-Rahman Abdullah is committed to the sanctity of human rights applied equally, standing in opposition to colonial violence, militarism and apartheid policies.

Jala Adolphus

Jala is Manager of Projects & Development at Asialink Arts and an Independent Producer specialising in the field of contemporary Indonesian performing arts. For over 10 years she has produced for leading Indonesian choreographers and directors including Garin Nugroho, Rianto and Eko Supriyanto, working across the long-term map of projects, funding, strategic planning, production and touring circuits. She has designed and delivered industry delegation tours for the Australia Indonesia Institute – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and consulted for the Australian Council for the Arts leadership program in Indonesia. A member of the Asian Producers Platform since 2014 and founding member of the Asia Network for Dance (AND+), her focus within the Asia Pacific region is combined with extensive international networks of artists, presenters, practitioners and institutions.

Kate Ben-Tovim

Kate is a curator, executive producer and cultural policy specialist. During her 20+ years in the arts, Kate has worked with artists, cultural institutions and governments in Indonesia, India, China, PNG, UK and throughout Australia. Kate loves to bring new ideas to life and has played a founding role in some of Australia’s most innovative cultural projects including Asia TOPA (founding Associate Director- 2017 & 2020), Oz Fest India Asia Pop Fest, PASIFIX and The Black Arm Band. Her boutique cultural agency Turning World provides advice to every level of Government, regularly collaborating with DFAT on cultural diplomacy initiatives and with major international events including London Olympics and GC Commonwealth Games. Kate has been based in Walyulup/Fremantle since 2021, collaborating with Perth Festival Special Projects, WA State Government, WAM Boola Bardip and ECU on new initiatives. She served on Minister Burke’s National Cultural Policy Expert Review Panel and has been awarded a Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship, Greenroom Award (Curatorial Contribution) and multiple Helpmann Awards.

Annika Kristensen

Annika Kristensen is an experienced curator with a particular interest in commissioning new work by contemporary artists, art in the public domain, and broadening audiences for the arts. Most recently in the position of Visual Arts Curator at Perth Festival (2023 and 2024), Annika was previously Senior Curator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) in Melbourne, where she worked with major international and Australian artists to commission new work and curate significant solo and group exhibitions. Recent exhibitions at ACCA include Laure Prouvost: Oui Move in You (with Max Delany, 2024); Like a Wheel That Turns (with Max Delany, 2023); Frances Barrett: Meatus (2022); Who’s Afraid of Public Space? (with Max Delany and Miriam Kelly 2021-22); Jeremy Deller: Father and Son (with Max Delany, 2021); Haroon Mirza: The Construction of an Act (2019); The Theatre is Lying (with Max Delany, 2018-19); Eva Rothschild: Kosmos (with Max Delany, 2018); Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism (with Paola Balla, Max Delany, Julie Ewington, Vikki McInnes and Elvis Richardson, 2017–18); Greater Together (2017); Claire Lambe: Mother Holding Something Horrific (with Max Delany, 2017) and NEW16 (2016).
Annika was Exhibition and Project Coordinator for the 19thBiennale of Sydney (2014) and the inaugural Nick Waterlow OAM Curatorial Fellow for the 18th Biennale of Sydney (2012). She has also held positions at Frieze Art Fair, Artangel, Film and Video Umbrella, London; and The West Australian newspaper, Perth. Annika holds an MSc In Art History, Theory and Display from the University of Edinburgh, following undergraduate studies in Arts (Communication Studies) at the University of Western Australia.

Loren Kronemyer

Loren Kronemyer is an artist living and working in regional lutruwita (Tasmania), Australia. Her works span interactive and live performance, experimental media art, and large-scale worldbuilding projects aimed at exploring ecological futures and queered survival skills. She is featured in Free | State, the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, and was presented by Michael Bugelli Gallery for Melbourne Art Fair 2021. Her 2020 project Millennial Reaper (Fremantle Biennale 2021, Melbourne Art Fair 2021) saw her learn and adapt the traditional art of broom-making via a subversive intergenerational factory. Her 2018 work After Erika Eiffel (ANTI Festival 2018, MONA FOMA 2020) saw her seduce audiences into learning to shoot their first arrows in via a custom archery range. She is co-curator of PREPPERS, which has toured Australia since 2017. In 2017, Kronemyer was the first artist in residence at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. As part of duo Pony Express, she has co-created iconic, large-scale live artworks including Ecosexual Bathhouse (2016) and Epoch Wars (2018-2022). She collaborates frequently with laboratories and received the first Masters of Biological Arts Degree from SymbioticA Lab at the University of Western Australia. Her work has been hosted by ANTI Festival of live art (Finland), Santarcangelo Festival (Italy), Forum of the Future (Portugal), Interformat Symposium (Lithuania), Dark Mofo, MONA FOMA, Liveworks, Next Wave, The Perth Institute for Contemporary Art, The Perth International Arts Festival, The Australian Centre for Photography, and The School of Visual Art (New York). She holds a PhD from the University of Tasmania.

Brad Spolding

Brad Spolding is a programmer, curator and producer. He was appointed the inaugural Arts Program Director at the Brisbane Powerhouse in March 2022. For the 7 years prior, he was the Artistic Director of The Substation, a multi-art space presenting a curated program of contemporary, experimental art in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Brad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management and a Master of Arts and Community Practice from the University of Melbourne. He is a board member of the Macfarlane Fund, an alumnus of the Cranlana and Australia Council Leadership programs, and a founding member of Theatre Network Australia.

Dr. Robert Wood

Dr. Robert Wood is interested in good stories, human rights, and community service. Robert is the Director of Writing and Publishing at the Centre for Stories, where he has worked since 2018. Prior to that, he was an Endeavour Fellow at Columbia University in New York City, Assistant Editor at Kochi-Muziris Biennale in South India where his family are from, and a Research Consultant with Tarruru Indigenous Heritage in the Pilbara. The author of five books and three hundred journal publications, Robert lives with his wife and two children at Boodjamaling on Whadjuk Country. In 2024, he was awarded the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Fellowship from Asialink and University of Melbourne for humanitarian service to Asian-Australian relations.

CULTURAL ADVISORY PANEL

Ilona McGuire

Ilona McGuire is a proud Whadjuk, Ballardong, Yuat and Kungarakan woman and artist. Her bloodlines run from Whadjuk boodja (country) to the Fitzmaurice region of the Northern Territory. Working primarily in printmaking, painting, and installation, her works often speak to cultural identity, traditional versus contemporary and her own spirituality. More recently, Ilona has worked in drone choreography, sound design and narration. The 2021 Fremantle Biennale opened with her work, Moombaki. Moombaki saw 160 drones take flight to share Whadjuk Dreamtime stories in an immersive experience of light, movement, and sound. Expression through her narration, music, design/choreography and space created a spiritual experience, site-specific and responsive to Whadjuk boodja.

Aurora Abraham

As a Whadjuk Noongar woman, Aurora maintains deep connections throughout the Noongar nation and wider Aboriginal communities. Her expertise and experience across the arts and Aboriginal health sectors reflects her sense of pride and care in both her professional and personal endeavours. Currently at Western Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET), Aurora works in Aboriginal Health Training Coordination and Cultural Mentorship. Through supporting health professionals and bridging gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, Aurora is committed to culturally appropriate outcomes. Furthermore, Aurora’s artistic practice is grounded in expression of cultural knowledge, pride, and her love for storytelling. Often exploring themes of culture, family and boodja (land) her artworks have featured throughout Perth. Along with Noongar artist group Deadly Dozen, her public artwork exhibited at Elizabeth Quay in response to her relationship to the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River).

Walter McGuire Jnr.

Walter McGuire is a descendent of several tribal groups in the Southwest of WA, Walter is a Traditional Owner of Nyoongar Boodjar which includes the Whadjuk lands on which Perth City stands. Walter is a strong advocate and example of self-determination. In 1998, he graduated university with a Bachelor of Applied Science (ACM DP) (Curtin University). He also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment (2015) and was a lecturer and mentor until he decided to work for himself as hard as he’d worked for others. Walter is now owner/operator of the multi award winning tourism business – Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences – offering authentic experiences to visitors to Perth at a range of locations: Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park, Yagan Square and Rottnest Island. As principal guide and traditional owner of Perth region, Walter is focussed on providing world-class authentic cultural walking tours and experiences to local, interstate, and international visitors alike. With his tourism venture, Walter has literally made it his business to promote and help sustain Aboriginal culture through his city tours, cultural presentations, and advisory service.

FREMANTLE BIENNALE BENEFACTORS
Darryl Mack
Mary Hill
Adrian Fini
Laura Beilby & Wilf Johnston
Iruka Pty Ltd & Burton Family Foundation
Jason Townes

ROOM SERVICE BENEFACTORS
BF Events Pty Ltd
Laura Beilby & Wilf Johnson
Jess Beaver
Desi Canning
Danielle Caruana & John Butler
Howard & Emma Cearns
Odetta Davison
Paul & Didi Downie
Anthony Duckworth & Anita Emor
Don Fini & Victoria Cole
Sharyn Egan
Spencer Flay
Nicola Forrest
Lily Jovic
Darryl Mack
Claire McGowan
Rob & Amanda Morrison
Bronwyn Owen
Brock Preston
Peter & Deborah Prendiville
Johnson Group WA
Veronique Ramen
Paula Rogers
TEXO Pty Ltd (Matt Giudice & Jason Townes)
Jimmy Thompson
Tim Ungar
Ed & Kylie Van Beem
Dimity Walker
Áine Whelan & Henry Boston
Trent Woods
University of Notre Dame

The Fremantle Biennale is a not-for-profit charity, delivered every two years through the generosity of our funders, partners and donors. We’re incredibly grateful for all contributions, which help us create extraordinary arts and cultural experiences across Walyalup (Fremantle).

BENEFACTORS

For individuals able to give more, the Fremantle Biennale benefactor program offers special benefits to those donating $2,000 and over. Benefactors will receive exclusive invitations to the program launch and opening event and will have early access to ticketed performances programmed during the Fremantle Biennale in November – plus – all benefactors will be recognised on our website. If you would like to become a benefactor of the Fremantle Biennale, please click here or email tom@fremantlebiennale.com.au.

Alternatively, if you are a business or organisation keen to partner with the Fremantle Biennale, please email tom@fremantlebiennale.com.au to discuss opportunities.

The Fremantle Biennale presents a largely free program of events, with some ticketed events. Tickets can be booked through our website, via the links on each event page.

For any queries, please contact bookings@fremantlebiennale.com.au

General public tickets are on sale from 12pm Friday 22 August 2025
A second release of tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 10 October 2025.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please read the ticketing terms and conditions below regarding ticket purchases for Fremantle Biennale events. By purchasing a ticket, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

REFUNDS & EXCHANGES

All ticket purchases are final and shall not be refunded, except as required by law or in accordance with the Live Performance Australia (LPA) Ticketing Code of Practice or as otherwise specified by Fremantle Biennale. Requests for ticket exchanges will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered for date changes to the same event.

ADMISSION

Please note that the Fremantle Biennale reserves the right to exclude latecomers or to admit them only at an appropriate point in the event.

The right of admission is reserved. It is a condition of entry to events that a search of person and/or possessions may be required at the time of entry to the venue.

Cameras and other recording devices are not permitted, unless otherwise specified.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The right is reserved to vary advertised programs, pricing, venue and seating arrangements, and to add, withdraw or substitute artists where necessary.

CONCESSIONS & COMPANION CARD HOLDERS

Where concessions are applicable, suitable and valid identification must be provided for admission to an event. Likewise, a valid companion card or valid companion card number must be produced at the time of booking to gain access to a companion card ticket.

CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE

Fremantle Biennale collects your individual information in case of an event cancellation or change. If you fail to supply sufficient and appropriate contact information, Fremantle Biennale is not responsible for any failure to contact you.

Ticket holders attending events do so at their own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Fremantle Biennale is not responsible for any loss, damage, harm or injury arising from a ticket holder’s entry to a venue or performance within a venue.

Unless otherwise stated, ticket prices include GST and exclude booking fees.

Program details are correct at the time of printing but are subject to change where necessary and without notice.

The Fremantle Biennale reserves the right to film, video, record, photograph, broadcast or telecast the event.

Tickets are only valid when purchased through authorised agents. Tickets may not be resold or offered for unauthorised resale for an amount that exceeds the original ticket price by more than 10%, or as specified by law. Fremantle Biennale reserves the right to cancel any ticket sold or offered for unauthorised resale in breach of this condition without notice and without a refund, and the ticket holder may be refused entry into the event.

The Fremantle Biennale may vary these terms and conditions at any time and will post variations to our website.

The Fremantle Biennale is created by a team of artists, producers and curators who are committed to creating a working environment and festival that foregrounds diversity and community.

Positions currently available are listed below.

No positions currently available.

Stay up to date with the latest Fremantle Biennale news!

For general enquiries, contact info@fremantlebiennale.com.au.

For ticket enquiries, contact bookings@fremantlebiennale.com.au.

For media enquiries, contact ruby@detail.com.au

To make a donation or to discuss sponsorship, contact tom@fremantlebiennale.com.au.

OFFICE

8A Cantonment St
Fremantle WA 6160
Australia