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Roger Leevers will present an exhibition of his works from May 8 to 24 at 35High, located upstairs at 35 High Street, Fremantle, with an opening event beginning at 6pm. The gallery will be open daily from 10am to 5pm.

The exhibition will feature paintings, watercolours, linocuts and drawings, exploring a range of subjects drawn from different periods across his colourful career spanning more than 60 years.

Based in Geraldton, Roger will showcase an eclectic selection of works not previously seen in Fremantle. His work has not been exhibited in the area since 2011. Known for his excellent draughting skills, his career has included blackboard advertising throughout Matilda Bay Brewery hotels in the 1980s. In 1996, he was selected as the Ship’s Artist for the Endeavour Replica World Tour, with an exhibition of those works presented at the opening of the Fremantle Festival the following year.

Having grown up in Geraldton, Roger was introduced to sailing at an early age and has remained a lifelong sailor. He has also worked extensively on the ocean, including operating a mooring line boat in Fremantle Harbour, as well as working on crayfishing boats and trawlers. He has lived on and frequently visited the Abrolhos Islands. The ocean has therefore featured prominently in his art, often depicted through both historic and contemporary sailing vessels—an enduring passion of his.

So strong was this connection that he famously referred to his own yacht, Aloha, as his “wife” until it tragically sank off the Zuytdorp Cliffs while sailing to Shark Bay. Following the incident, Roger and his brother Kim spent five and a half hours in the water before being rescued by a Kalbarri fishing boat.

Roger’s work represents a broad reflection of where his eye and imagination have travelled, capturing the subjects and stories that have fascinated him throughout his life. It is an exhibition well worth seeing.