Fishing out debris for Flotsam and Jetsam 2020 Art Competition

The Flotsam and Jetsam 2020 Art Competition, in which interested artists use recovered materials to produce inspired artwork, is back this year. The competition idea came from organiser Pia Boschetti’s Clean up Australia Day efforts, in which she takes a group of volunteers out to the Abrolhos Islands to clean up debris. Interested artists will collect the recovered material from the Geraldton Fisherman’s Wharf on Monday, March 2, from 8am. The deadline for entries in the eight categories is March 30, and the pieces will be on display at Latitude Gallery from April 4-May 9. Most artists choose to keep their pieces but they can be bought at the store after the exhibition. Boschetti said the theme this year was Australian icons, events and landmarks. “The theme is optional but we’re looking for people to create representations of Australian history, now and in the past,” she said. On March 1, Boschetti will lead 30 volunteers on two boats out to the islands to collect debris. Last year, about five tonnes of debris were brought back for the competition, which was made into about 120 entries. “This is how I give back to ocean,” Boschetti said. “We have a pearl farm out near the Abrolhos islands and I see it as if I’m doing my part because we bring more rubbish back than what we’d lose in a year.” The competition is expensive to run, but has this year received sponsorship with a $3500 Mid West Ports Authority grant.