In the Quiet of the Land is Coming Soon!
Regional Arts Triennial 3 - Opening February 2026
Update from RAT 3 Guest Curator, Japneet Keith
“As In the Quiet of the Land approaches its opening as part of the Regional Arts Triennial WA (RAT3), there is a quiet but palpable sense of anticipation,” Japneet said.
“With just weeks remaining before final installation, the works are still evolving - held in that delicate space between making and becoming.”
“Sharon and I find ourselves counting the days, watching ideas take form and trusting the process as each artist brings their work toward its final expression.”
“This exhibition has been shaped slowly and thoughtfully, grounded in land, labour, memory, and material.”
Artists & Works in Formation
Merle Davis is working towards a crochet installation along with sea sponges and seaweed, building layered forms that hold the quiet rhythms of the coast. Through subtle colour shifts and natural textures, her work evokes the serenity of sea and sand—washed tones, softened edges, and the gentle accumulation of time.
Gerald Ashcroft’s abstract wall-based work continues to evolve. Recently, he shared: “I can safely say my abstract has gone to another dimension. I’m absolutely wrapped with it. It’s in its final stages now.”
That sense of discovery - of being led somewhere unexpected by the work itself - resonates strongly across this exhibition.
Gary Hambleton’s exploration of clay, local minerals, and sands has resulted in a strong body of ceramic work. His vibrant glazes speak directly of the region’s mineral wealth, grounding the exhibition firmly in place and geology.
Melanie Jarman has devoted close to seventy hours to developing her textile-based works. Her intuitive practice allows textiles to move into sculptural, three-dimensional forms - works shaped through patience, sensitivity, and embodied knowledge.
Kay Manolas and Francesco Geronazzo are exploring a creative tandem between clay and print media. As each works on their respective projects, a unique collaborative process is unfolding - responsive, experimental, and quietly generative.
Christian Fletcher, Kim Perrier, Barbara Weeks and Elaine Clocherty each bring their own material language and deep engagement with landscape, memory, and mark-making, contributing to the layered dialogue of the exhibition.
Installation & Collective Making
A significant element of In the Quiet of the Land is the collaborative installation work being developed by Dwardinan - Vivian Brockman Webb, Waljin - Mitchella Hutchins, and Elaine Clocherty. Together, they are bringing installation art into the Old Courthouse Complex in a way that invites immersion and sensory engagement. Their contribution anchors the exhibition in shared experience - where land, culture, and contemporary practice intersect.
A Curatorial Reflection
“In the Quiet of the Land is a project I am deeply passionate about. My connection to this region - its people, places, and everyday seasons - has shaped this curatorial journey.”
“Sands, water, wildflowers, shifting weather, and expansive skies are not simply references; they are lived experiences carried into the works.”
“Through this process, I have come to understand the South West more fully - not only as coastline or “down south,” but as forests, valleys, rivers, and mineral-rich inland landscapes.”
“The diversity of this region is profound, and we are truly blessed to live and work here.”
“I am deeply grateful for the presence and contribution of the Wardandi community and the cultural knowledge they bring to this exhibition.”
“Set within the Old Courthouse Complex, the installation and site-responsive works promise a shared sensory experience - one that invites reflection, listening, and connection.”
“As guest curator, it has been a privilege to witness these works coming together. I look forward to sharing In the Quiet of the Land with you this February.”
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In the Quiet of the Land, proudly delivered by the City of Busselton’s Old Courthouse Complex, is part of the WA Regional Arts Triennial 3: Radical Futures.
The WA Regional Arts Triennial 3: Radical Futures is proudly supported by the WA Government. It is coordinated by Southern Forest Arts with support from ART ON THE MOVE through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost. Project partners include John Curtin Gallery, Regional Arts WA, GalleriesWest and Kimberley Arts Network.