Rone Transports Viewers Into Forgotten Era of Australian History

From July 1 to September 30 2024, acclaimed street artist Rone is presenting his first major exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) in the historical Centenary Galleries. Titled ”TIME • RONE”, the experience aims to transport visitors to a forgotten era of Australian history.

In “TIME • RONE”, Rone’s signature haunting murals will be spread across 12 rooms on both floors of the Centenary Galleries – the first time these historic spaces have been fully opened to the public in nearly 20 years. Visitors will be enveloped in Rone’s distinctive visual style, with the murals serving as the centerpiece of the immersive art experience. The exhibition will also offer a multi-sensory journey, through a blend of art, food, and atmosphere that is intended to bring the visitor to the old days in Australia. The open-ended narrative of this immersive exhibition invites deeper contemplation, as visitors explore his themes of beauty in decay and the search for meaning in the everyday.

Rone has been a prominent figure in the contemporary street art scene in the past two decades, internationally recognized for his distinctive large-scale portraits and hauntingly atmospheric multimedia installations. His projects such as Empire (2019), a multi–sensory installation spread throughout the deserted Burnham Beeches, and Empty (2016), a swansong for the nouveau-style Star Lyric Theatre building in Melbourne that was marked for demolition, have drawn international acclaim. His artistry evolved from painting on urban walls to creating immersive installations in abandoned buildings.

Most recently, the site-specific Rone in Geelong (2021) installation saw the artist explore his signature style at Geelong Gallery in regional Victoria, developing a narrative that responded to the gallery’s collection and the architecture and history of the building.

Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth Cultural Centre
Perth WA 6000, Australia