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Murals

Fremantle Prison retains a collection of murals and other painted artworks from the convict era through to the end of the Prison’s operations. These are located internally within the buildings, cells and chapels, and externally on yard walls. While they vary in their artistic integrity and quality, they are all powerful reminders of the prisoner experience and often of prisoner suffering or defiance. Some also graphically depict acts of violence.


The murals (mostly) comprise works painted directly onto wall fabric (masonry or render). The condition of the masonry or substrate is therefore critical to the condition and survival of the murals, as are other factors such as fading or incidental visitor damage to the art work. Murals on dry and stable walls have a better chance of surviving.

SPECIFIC POLICY 45: As a general policy, all remaining external and internal murals should be conserved and not removed or concealed (such as being painted or rendered over).

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SPECIFIC POLICY 46: Any works, including conservation or maintenance of a mural should be undertaken by a professional conservator qualified in painted mural conservation. The conservator should be a member of, and bound by, the Code of Ethics and Practice of the AICCM Inc. (Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material) or an international materials conservation association.

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SPECIFIC POLICY 47: Any treatments to the murals generally should ensure retention of the original paint.

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SPECIFIC POLICY 48: In works to the walls which contain (and surround) the murals, including maintenance and repairs, care should be taken to ensure that the murals are not damaged or impacted by cleaning products and the like. A waterproof physical barrier should be erected as a temporary measure to protect the mural from all chemicals, water, tools and other materials. Vibration from works to the walls should also be monitored to ensure no impacts on the mural.

SPECIFIC ACTION 29: If a mural is damaged, obtain expert advice from a qualified conservator before undertaking any repairs.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 30: If a mural is identified for restoration, obtain expert advice from a qualified conservator before undertaking any restoration.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 31: A perspex sheet or similar, standing proud of the wall to permit clear visibility and free circulation of air, can be utilised for the protection of murals. These items also require ongoing maintenance, to maintain their transparency.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 32: All existing murals should be recorded (to archival quality standard) to maintain evidence of their location, condition and content, and to assist with future conservation and retention.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 33: Where a yard or cell contains a mural which depicts a violent act, or might otherwise be considered offensive to observers, consider placing a small warning sign at the entry to the cell or yard in preference to removing the mural or restricting access. Guides may also warn visitors of the potential for offence.

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