Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Residents in Perth’s north are being invited to explore a remarkable story of design, immigration and cultural heritage when Underneath/Overlooked opens at Wanneroo Regional Gallery from Wednesday, October 14.
The exhibition explores the legacy of Italian migrants Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro, whose handcrafted terrazzo tiles have become a distinctive feature of homes and buildings across Western Australia since the mid-20th century.
The Scolaro family emigrated from Capo d’Orlando, Sicily, and established the Universal Tile Factory in Fremantle in 1952.
Giuseppe, a self-taught artisan, transformed simple materials like marble chips, cement and vibrant pigments into intricate, bespoke designs that adorned spaces across WA.
Created by artists Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, the exhibition grew from Bovell’s unexpected discovery of hand-crafted terrazzo tiles in her own home.
“I first noticed the tiles on a studio floor. Then, in 2011, I impulsively bought a house with Scolaro tiles in almost every room,” Ms Bovell said.
“That house turned out to be Giuseppe and Anna’s first home. I was fascinated by the bold patterns and colours and it sparked my curiosity to learn more.”
Working alongside her daughter, artist Gabby Howlett, Bovell helped transform that curiosity into a collaborative project celebrating an often-overlooked creative legacy.
“We’ve found them under floorboards and covered with glue,” Howlett said.
“Every new discovery adds to this incredible story.”
Residents are being encouraged to join the search for more of WA’s hidden terrazzo heritage by sharing information about any Scolaro tiles they have come across in their homes, businesses or local buildings.
City of Wanneroo mayor Linda Aitken believes the exhibition will resonate strongly with the local Italian community and give visitors a chance to reflect on the migrant generations who helped shape the region.
“With nearly 10,000 residents in our community identifying as having Italian ancestry, this exhibition is a meaningful way to celebrate our diverse heritage and shared cultural values,” Ms Aitken said.
Underneath/Overlooked opens at Wanneroo Regional Gallery on October 14 and will run until January 9.
