Artists from near and far selected as finalists in the City of Rockingham's Castaways Sculpture Awards

Artists from across Perth and the South West have been selected as finalists in the City of Rockingham’s 2025 Castaways Sculpture Awards.

Now in its 17th year, Castaways invites artists from across Western Australia to reimagine recycled and repurposed materials into powerful sculptural works. 

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said the diversity and quality of entries this year is a testament to the event’s continued significance in WA’s cultural calendar.

The Bushketeers, baked clay bricks. PIC: Artist, Budi Hanaf.

“Castaways is a much-loved event that inspires conversations about sustainability, celebrates artistic innovation and brings our community together. Congratulations to all the talented artists and students selected as finalists this year,” Mayor Hamblin said.

The selection panel has chosen 22 finalists for the Main Exhibition, including two artists who have been selected for the annual Curators Mentor Program, 25 finalists for the Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition and 12 local Rockingham schools to be included in the Castaways Schools Exhibition. 

Breathe, Move, Play, offcuts of roofing timber, recycled formply, jarrah. PIC: Artist, Ed Stafford.

The Selection Panel consisted of independent panellists, artists Jenny Dawson and Tony Davis and Castaways Curator Lyn Di Ciero.

Castaways Curator Lyn Di Ciero said the selection process is both rigorous and rewarding.

“We spend a lot of time researching and reaching out to artists to understand the heart of each piece,” Di Ciero said. 

Home, recycled windowpane glass, enamel. PIC: Artist, Liliana Stafford.

“Being selected as a finalist can be life-changing, especially for emerging artists. One artist told me she felt like she’d won Lotto just being chosen.”

This year artists are vying for $27,250 in non-acquisitive prizes: 
•    $10,000 Major Award 
•    $5,000 Innovation Award
•    $5,000 Sustainability Award
•    $2,500 Maquette and Small Sculpture Award
•    $2,000 City of Rockingham Local Resident Award
•    $500 Primary School Award
•    $500 Secondary School Award
•    $1,000 People’s Choice Awards – Main Exhibition
•    $500 People’s Choice Award – Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition
•    $250 People’s Choice Award – Schools Exhibition

The 2025 exhibitions will run from Saturday, October 25 to Sunday, November 2,  with artworks displayed across three locations: The Main Exhibition along the Rockingham Foreshore, The Schools Exhibition adjacent Churchill Park and The Maquette and Small Sculpture Exhibition at Rockingham Arts Centre.

Winners to be announced at the official Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 25.

Recast, corten steel, aluminium. PIC: Artist, Jake Coghlan.