It's all about play
- Multiple days and locations
- Multiple locations
Created by artists Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, the exhibition highlights the artistry and legacy of Italian immigrants Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro, whose handcrafted terrazzo tiles have become a distinctive feature of homes and buildings across Western Australia since the mid-20th century.
The Scolaro family emigrated from Capo d'Orlando in Sicily and established the Universal Tile Factory in Fremantle in 1952.
Giuseppe, a self-taught artisan, transformed simple materials—marble chips, cement, and vibrant pigments—into intricate, bespoke designs that adorned spaces across the state. His work reflects the creativity and labour of a craftsman whose legacy has often been overlooked.
The search for Scolaro tiles heads to the northern suburbs with this touring exhibition. The artists are calling on Western Australians to help uncover more terrazzo floors having identified over 110 properties with the tiles since the project started.
City of Wanneroo Residents are asked to join the search for more of Western Australia's hidden terrazzo heritage by sharing information about any Scolaro tiles they have come across in their homes, businesses or local buildings.
Learn more about the exhibition
Underneath/Overlooked is presented at Wanneroo Regional Gallery from 14 October 2026 to 9 January 2027. This project is made possible through the Regional Creative Industries Fund with support from the WA Government and delivered by ART ON THE MOVE.
Image: Penny Bovell and Gabby Howlett, Underneath/Overlooked, 2021, Scolaro family tile mould. Photograph by Rebecca Mansell.
Venues and dates details
