Sushi Making For Kids

Local artist and high school teacher Brendan Lewis has been engaged by Kwinana Marketplace to create a series of portraits to represent the Kwinana Industrial community. Brendan Lewis, otherwise known as Hope Perth is a highly accomplished and respected muralist, fine-artist and schoolteacher from Kwinana. Hope's artistic vision for Kwinana Marketplace was a series of seven portraits, each representing a distinct facet of the community at the heart of Kwinana's industries. This collection of visual works is not just about individual faces but rather a tapestry of stories, histories, and heritage interwoven with the town and communities’ legacy. The first set of portraits aims to pay tribute to Kwinana's First Nation heritage, families and education assistants. Depicting First Nation's educator at Gilmore College, Jason Kelly and his child Jakiyah, their portraits encapsulate this essence, showcasing the strength, unity, and enduring support that First Nations families play in shaping Kwinana's future identity. The inclusion of a young child symbolises the aspirations and dreams of the next generation. The third portrait is of Noorpreet Singh, a bright and joyful primary school student whose father, Inderveer runs the Wendys inside Kwinana Marketplace. The portrait of apprentice and recent Gilmore College graduate Precious Sesay brings to the forefront the commitment and resilience of those embarking on their careers. Also featured is Gilmore College Science teacher Lisa Doomen, reflecting the importance of quality education, providing our younger community with the skills, support and compassion to help achieve their aspirations. The mural also features locomotive train driver Nelson Bettencourt, a figure deeply intertwined with Kwinana's transportation infrastructure. The final portrait is a heartfelt tribute to Hope's grandad, Tom O'Donnell who worked for over two decades as a plant operator at BP. Taking four months to complete, Brendan said, “this mural is a tribute to the amazing people I’ve worked with or been connected to, thank you to everyone who stopped by, beeped their horns, brought me coffee or lunch and showed their support. I'm grateful to have grown up in Kwinana and continue to be connected to such a beautiful place”. Centre Manager Tammyann Davis echoed these sentiments, saying the community wall mural served as a visual representation of the culturally diverse population that resided within Kwinana. “Kwinana is experiencing significant growth, and the cultural diversity is expected to increase as the population grows. Kwinana Marketplace is excited to be part of that, and we understand our role to be a vital focal point for local residents through social interaction, events and community services is an important one.” Kwinana Marketplace plans to hold a series of events over the coming months to showcase the wall mural and other local artists within Kwinana and surrounding suburbs. Tammyann said, “we aim to create an inclusive environment, inviting the local community to come together to shop, dine, socialise and participate in a variety of activities.”