Published on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 11:46:22 AM
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is pleased to present Underneath/Overlooked, a touring exhibition by artists Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, opening at the Goldfields Arts Centre this Friday, 16 January.
The exhibition shines a light on the work of Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro, whose handcrafted terrazzo tiles became a defining feature of Western Australian homes and public buildings from the mid-20th century. Through textiles, interactive elements, and visual storytelling, Underneath/Overlooked uncovers the design stories often hidden beneath everyday spaces, while celebrating the craftsmanship and lasting contributions of Italian migrants to the state’s built environment.
Mayor Glenn Wilson said the exhibition invites people to reflect on the everyday spaces they move through without a second thought.
“Many people have grown up around terrazzo floors without really knowing where they came from or who made them,” Mayor Wilson said.
“This exhibition reminds us that there are real stories, skills and journeys embedded in those spaces.”
“It’s a beautiful way of honouring the migrants who helped shape Western Australia after the war, and it encourages us to look a little closer at the places we think we already know,” he said.
Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to take part in a range of engaging, family-friendly interactive experiences, including a Pattern Walk, an interactive floor tile activity, a sensory tray featuring terrazzo pieces, and a feedback panel where visitors can share their reflections. The exhibition also features walk-through, cocoon-like fabric spaces for children to explore and play.
A community workshop will be held on Saturday, 17 January, from 10am to 1pm at the Goldfields Arts Centre, where participants will create colourful terrazzo-style tile designs to be added to a shared floor plan. For more information and to pre-book, visit the Goldfields Arts Centre website.
In addition to the opening weekend, Underneath/Overlooked will be on display until Friday, 28 February, open from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Entry is free.
This project is supported through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost, with funding from the Western Australian Government and delivered by Art On The Move.
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