Fremantle Festival: Mother and daughter uncover rich Fremantle heritage story

If these intricate terrazzo floors in Fremantle could talk, they wouldn’t tell the tale of their meteoric rise to being one of the most stylish and sought-after flooring options across the world. Instead these floors, as well as those of more than 100 homes in Fremantle, would share the story of their makers, Giuseppe and Anna Scolaro, who poured their life into them over 70 years ago. It’s the rich story of two entrepreneurial immigrants from Italy who few know about, but that mother-and-daughter duo Penny Bovell and Gabrielle Howlett hope will soon be celebrated in the Port City and beyond. And while it was by chance that Bovell, an artist, discovered the work of the couple who founded the Universal Tile Factory, once on Blinco Street, it’s passion and curiosity that saw them uncover this great heritage story. “As it happens, I live in the first home that Mr Scolaro built ... and, next to us, our neighbours live in the second home that Mr Scolaro built, which is a classic 50-60s deco house,” Bovell says. “We both have the tiles in our houses and we love living with them, surrounded by the patterns and things.” The bespoke tiles that came out of the factory, which opened in 1950, are instantly recognisable. Each tile is unique, with its mix of vibrant pigments and Italian marble used in intricate patterns and patinas. With such an eye for creativity and detail, you’d be forgiven for thinking the couple learnt the tools of their trade in their home town of Capo d’Orlando in southern Italy. Instead, Mr Scolaro learnt to make the tiles on the job in Fremantle, and developed the equipment himself. After Mr Scolaro died aged 52, his wife continued the business for another 10 years, before closing in 1973. Since then, the tiles have been out of production but have been enjoyed privately by the owners of the homes. That was, until Bovell and Howlett began digging and discovered the legacy the Scolaro family had left in more than 100 Fremantle homes, as well as a space in Leederville and Northbridge. It was all thanks to a Facebook post on Freo Massive that attracted plenty of responses, and a phone number found in the telephone book. “We found Armando (Scolaro, the couple’s son) through the telephone book. I did a cold call,” Bovell laughs. “We talked a little bit and found out a little bit — Armando was probably a little sceptical to begin with and thought we were nutters.” Armando though says he was “really pleased” to get the call, particularly as he had tried himself to find a way to share his parents’ contribution to their community. He was just 10 when his parents opened the factory, but has memories of their hard work, of the labour-intensive process of making the tiles as well as the innovative ways they were used inside the home. “There was terrazzo back then, but it was something used in wet areas, seen as drab and utilitarian and not something you’d use in a house,” he says. “The choice people had for a kitchen was lino ... and some Italians particularly didn’t like carpet as it could get very dirty. So when these tiles came on and they had colourful and very attractive designs that could be used in the house, they were welcomed by the Italian community.” Bovell adds that many of these original owners still live in the homes, while others have been bought by fellow artists, architects and creatives, who she says are drawn to their design. Armando’s own City Beach home features tiles that his mum made. “If you’ve dropped something on it, you have to go for a real hunt, you can’t see anything on it, and they have a certain attractiveness at not showing the dirt,” he says. To celebrate the work of the Scolaros with the wider public, Bovell and Howlett will be holding an exhibition at the Moores Building on Henry Street as part of Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port next month. Called Underneath/Overlooked — Bonded and Resilient, the exhibition will showcase the designs. A Terrazzo Talk will discuss the project and Terrazzo Workshops will take place with Margaret Dillon, from Concreto. “We’ll be showing it (Scolaro tiles) to people who would never have seen them because they’re in people’s homes ... unless you’re friends with them, you’d never be able to see them,” Howlett says. “But also to the people who live with them, we’ll be telling them who made them. Giving them information and encouraging them to become custodians of something so great.” For more information, go to 10nightsinport.com.au.

Fremantle Festival: Mother and daughter uncover rich Fremantle heritage story

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