Image credit: A Scolaro terrazzo tile mould. Photography by Rebecca Mansell
Underneath/Overlooked
TOURING 2025-27
An exhibition by Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, inspired by the art of terrazzo and the Scolaro family
Postwar Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro established the Universal Tile Factory in Walyalup (Fremantle) in 1952, which ran for over 20 years. Giuseppe, a self-taught artisan, crafted decorative terrazzo tiles using vibrant pigments and Italian marble, creating intricate patterns that have become even more beautiful over time.
Underneath/Overlooked began as a search for homes and buildings that still feature these unique floors and grew into an exhibition featuring colourful silk reproductions of the Scolaro tile patterns, a pattern-making game, and photos by people who live in these spaces today.
The exhibition honours Giuseppe and Anna’s artistic contributions and celebrates their role, like many immigrant families, in shaping the design history of Western Australia. It explores the art of terrazzo and the concept of creating a home.
First shown at Fremantle’s 10 Nights in Port Festival, this interactive experience invites viewers to take a closer look at their surroundings and consider the hidden stories within.
ARTISTS
Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett
Do you know of any terrazzo in your local area?
EXHIBITION DETAILS FOR VENUES
| ARTIST | Penny Bovell and Gabrielle Howlett |
| MEDIA | Installation, textile works, 3D objects and interactive floor tile activity on lightweight acoustic panels |
| INSTALLATION | Scale varies, install requirements can be discussed per venue |
| MARKETING | Marketing Kit (includes e-invitation template, artwork for hard copy invitation, media release, promotional images, logos and acknowledgements) |
| INTERPRETATION MATERIALS | Exhibition and sponsorship panels Artwork labels Exhibition catalogue (free for distribution) |
| TOUR DURATION | 2025 – 2027 |
| COST SHARE | ART ON THE MOVE Members: $4,000 (inc. GST) Non Members: $4,500 (inc. GST) |
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Image credit: Mary Burns, Gabby Howlett, Armando Scolaro and Penny Bovell in the Scolaro family home now owned by Mary Burns and Trevor Richards. Photography by Rebecca Mansell
PENNY BOVELL
Penny Bovell (MFA/UWA) works across numerous media for exhibition and site specific installations with a passionate interest in the creation of stories based on social history and the environment. Her artwork is held in the NGA and major Western Australian Collections. Her public artwork can be viewed across the state including integrated artwork for the Western Australian Museum Research and Collection Centre.
GABBY HOWLETT
Gabby Howlett holds a Degree in Sustainable Development from Murdoch University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Social Impact: School of Business and Economics, University of Western Australia. To bring together her passions, education and extensive background in specialist retail and retail management she created her own small business, How Productive, where she works with artists, galleries, arts organisations and museums to produce artist merchandise. She works for Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation as their Product and Merchandise Developer.
TOUR ITINERARY
2025
January 18 – February 23
Collie Art Gallery
Wiilman and Kaneang Noongar Country
March 1 – April 25
Carnarvon Library & Gallery
Yinggarda Country
August 9 – September 20
Katanning Art Gallery
Noongar Country
HOST THIS EXHIBITION AT YOUR VENUE
Venues are invited to contact Exhibitions Touring Manager, Alex Fuller at exhibitions@artonthemove.art with your proposed dates to express interest in hosting this exhibition.
This project is made possible through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost with funding managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and delivered by ART ON THE MOVE.
