Perth Design Week has proudly announced a major new exhibition Chirriger Moort: A 30 Year Retrospective of the Work of Peter Farmer, presented in collaboration with Peter Farmer Designs and the WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Opening 11 March 2026 at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the exhibition - free to the public - celebrates the three-decade creative journey of Mr Farmer, a leading Noongar artist and designer whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, public art, fashion, interior design, and the built environment.
"Chirriger Moort" honours Mr Farmer's deep connection to Country, culture, and family (moort).
Central to the exhibition is his personal ancestral totem, the Chirriger (Blue Wren), and the ongoing relationship between people and place that continues to shape his work.
Perth Design Week Founder, Sandy Anghie said, Mr Farmer's work has had an extraordinary impact on Western Australia's cultural and design landscape.
"This retrospective is a rare opportunity to experience three decades of his creativity, innovation, and storytelling in one place. We are honoured to present this important exhibition as part of Perth Design Week 2026," Ms Anghie said.
Over the past 30 years, Mr Farmer has established a significant body of work across Australia and internationally.
His major public art commissions include large-scale installations throughout Western Australia, and his designs have appeared in high-profile collaborations ranging from the West Coast Eagles' AFL Indigenous Guernsey to a couture shoe for Jimmy Choo, held in the collection of the WA Museum.
His paintings have featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and are represented in the collections of Edith Cowan University and Government House Western Australia.
Mr Farmer's more recent projects include a collaboration with Arup on their award-winning Boorloo/Perth headquarters, costume and set design for the WA Opera, the Klouds sneaker collection with Paul Carroll Shoes, a commission for the Perth International Airport upgrade, and the t-shirt design for Coldplay's Australian tour.
In 2025, Perth Design Week opened the festival with a runway show by Peter Farmer Designs.
In 2026, PDW celebrates his ongoing impact with this landmark retrospective.
Mr Farmer said the exhibition reflects not only his journey as an artist and designer, but also the strength of his cultural roots.
"The Chirriger has always guided my work, reminding me of my connection to Country, my ancestors, and my family. I'm proud to share this retrospective with the community during Perth Design Week," Mr Farmer said.
Chirriger Moort: A 30 Year Retrospective of the Work of Peter Farmer
11 March - 31 March 2026
Old Gaol Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip,
Open daily: 9.30am - 5.00pm.
FREE exhibition. Everyone welcome.
Perth Design Week 2026 19-26 March 2026
And the lead up to Perth Design Week, an exhibition of recent work by Mr Farmer opens next week.
Chirriger Kwilla - An Exploration of Noongar Totems, is an intergenerational exhibition bringing together the work of Peter Farmer Snr and his son Peter Farmer Jnr.
Presenting new works on canvas created especially for this show, the Farmers invite audiences to reflect on the strength of Noongar identity and its evolving place within contemporary art today.
Chirriger Kwilla - An Exploration of Noongar Totems.
From 6 December 2025
Zig Zag Gallery, 50 Railway Road, Kalamunda
Open daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
FREE exhibition. Everyone welcome.
