Once Known
Opened for the first time at the Old Perth Boys’ School, Once Known showcases reproductions of the fragile artworks created by Aboriginal children forcibly taken from their families and detained at the Carrolup Native Settlement in the 1940s.
This unique Collection of art was lost overseas for more than 50 years, these artworks returned home to Noongar Boodja in 2013, offering a powerful opportunity to share truth and learn about the lived experiences of these children. While hundreds of children were detained at Carrolup, only 17 of the artists have been attributed to works in the collection. Once Known reminds us that each child had a name, a family and a story. These works stand as a testament to the creativity and resilience of the Carrolup children, offering a glimpse into their enduring connection to Country.
Exhibition Details
4 Apr 2025 – 6 Mar 2026
11am – 4pm
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Closed Wednesdays and Weekends
Free entry, open to the public
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware the exhibition and catalogue contains images, voices and names of people who have died. It also contains information that might be confronting and may cause distress.
More information about the Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling
Header Image: Once known child artist, The Kill, 1946-50, pastel and charcoal on paper. 27.9 x 38cm.
Carousel photos: Once Known exhibition opening. Courtesy of Marnie Richardson.
The Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artworks were generously donated for educational and research purposes by Colgate University, New York, USA to the Curtin University Art Collection, 2013.
