10863 Bushranger presented by Act-Belong-Commit now at Fremantle Prison

The exhibition 10863 Bushranger presented by Act-Belong-Commit is at the historic Fremantle Prison until 2 January 2017. The exhibition consists of a series of artworks produced by WA visual artist Di Taylor, who was the inaugural artist in residence of the North Midlands Project and The Bank Gallery Space in Carnamah during 2017. Each artwork is accompanied by a short story or anecdote about our local bushranger Frank Thomas, who grew up in Coorow.

The exhibition can be found within one of Fremantle Prison's free galleries and can be visited during their opening hours, which are every day from 9am to 5pm except for Christmas day. The prison is located at 1 The Terrace in Fremantle. For more info, check out their website at www.fremantleprison.com.au

Above: Take Away (Chicken) by Di Taylor

Embedded in local folklore is the story of police discovering bushranger Frank Thomas' camp where he was cooking a stolen chicken. He leapt onto his horse and took off, with the police following in hot pursuit. The police eventually lost sight of him so decided they'd return and enjoy his chicken. When they arrived back at Frank's camp he'd already doubled back, taken the chicken and left again!

Above:  Photos of Frank Thomas from the Police Gazette of WA
The photos for the double mugshot were taken when Frank was released from Fremantle Prison in 1921. For more on Frank, check out his entry in the Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs.