A MASS showing of Fremantle artists comes together in A Stray Alien, at the Moore’s Gallery, proving there’s a copious pool of local talent to be found.

Hilton’s David Maisano came up with the idea, disappointed with the lack of Freo-centric exhibitions: “The only one is the print awards,” he says.

Before he and co-organiser Alia Leadabrand knew it word of mouth saw numbers blow out to 40, then 44, with Rebecca Cool a late entry.

• Herald photographer Matthew Dwyer (and his beloved bird series) is one of more than 40 local artists in A Stray Alien

“[Fremantle] people are so arty farty and bohemian,” Maisano says.

Asked for a blurb on his art he responded “give more hugs”, eschewing the usual artist hyperbole.

The title is a play on Australian as written in a German magazine his girlfriend was reading: “And because as artist we feel alienated,” Leadabrand says. For East Fremantle artist Olga Cironis the exhibition is a celebration of Fremantle arts: “Which is more and more being pushed out,” she says.

Herald photographer Matthew Dwyer’s fascination with local wildlife is also part of the exhibition, along with too many other local artists to name.

A Stray Alien is on the Moores Gallery, on Henry Street, until February 19 to March 7.

by JENNY D’ANGER