Ceduna Art Centre: In the West Coast region of South Australia

When you fly over the Far West Coast of South Australia from Ceduna to the Nullabor Cliffs you take in some of the state’s most spectacular coastal scenery.

For thousands of years the great expanses of ocean breakers, pristine beaches and stunning headlands were home to the Wirangu and Mirning people.

So it’s not surprising that the coast features so prominently in the work of Wirangu artist, Eleanor Coleman. The ocean inspires her.

“I grew up by the ocean. We were always going diving for scallops or going for crabs. We were always looking for shells.” She told us.

And she's always on the lookout for local artistic pearls for the Ceduna Arts and Cultural Centre. Four years ago the centre was a disused building but after Eleanor and members of the local community got hold of it it’s now a gallery. Among the pieces are paintings by Port Augusta artist, Charmain Wilson whose depictions of honey ants on canvas have proved popular.

Meanwhile, others from the nearby communities keep the centre well stocked with aboriginal artifacts like tapping sticks, and clubs. According to Eleanor, most of them come from nearby Yalata or Oak Valley.

“When they make sales it makes them more confidant. And then they try to bring more into the centre,” she told us. “It gives them a lot of pride in the work that they do.”

There’s also plenty of pride in the works by the local kids from Yalata. The centre runs regular classes in painting, ceramics and pottery. It has also become a showcase for the local artists who tap into the talent and experience of top-line ceramists like Ceduna local Pam Diment.

“We do the painting and the glazing and take it out to Pam's place and Pam will fire it for us.”

Eleanor is one of the founders of the Ceduna Arts and Cultural Centre. She’s since moved on to take up a local teaching appointment but she says the Centre's development is just one step in a long journey which is probably best summed up in one of her own pieces - a jigsaw puzzle of race and culture which is always in the balance.

“I painted all the hand colours all different on account of different cultures in the world. But there's a gap in between them because there's always a conflict. I don't care… whatever race you are (there’s always a conflict). And my vision is one therefore of the gaps to be closed in. Like the circle in the middle… to live together in harmony.”

The Ceduna Arts and Culture Centre is on the corner of Eyre Highway and Kuhlmann Street. It's open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5. Entry is free and proceeds from the sales go toward payment for local artists.

Ceduna Arts & Culture Centre
Cnr Eyre Highway & Kuhlmann St
Ceduna
Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm