THROUGH THE EYES OF THE COLONIAL ARTIST
Art of the Swan River Settlement
at THE ART GALLERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA and PENINSULA FARM (Tranby)
Johnson Rd, Maylands

BEFORE YOUR VISIT

• Research reasons why a settlement was made on the Swan River in the late 1820s.
  
• Access information from sources such as newspapers, political cartoons and contemporary accounts to record differing viewpoints of similar events. For instance, the debate about bringing convicts to Western Australia.

• Identify the basic needs of the early settlers (water, food, shelter).
  Assess the success or failure of these ventures and the implications.
  
• Research some of the incidents written about by the early settlers and make sketches to record them.
  
• Consider the role of women and children in the early settlement.
  What impact did they have in the establishment of the new colony?
   

POST VISIT ACTIVITIES

Using draft work from your visit to the Art Gallery and Peninsula Farm (Tranby), produce one of the following:

• An exhibition of work in the style of the early settlers.
  
• A painting that shows how the area has changed since early settlement.
  
• An illustration for a piece of writing about the period eg a newspaper article
  
• A practical item that has significance to the mid 1800s era and is decorated with some aspect from your drawing – eg an apron, a bookmark, a bag for carrying books, tools etc.