The Art Gallery of Western Australia is located at the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. For many years, it’s hosted some of Perth’s most inspiring and vibrant art exhibition,s with its latest being no exception – “Paola Pivi – I don’t like it, I love it”.
The museum is just a short walk from Perth Train Station and is easily accessible by public transport and car. The entry is grand but welcoming with a visitors’ desk situated to the left, along with a gift shop and cafe to the right. Entry is free (including Paola Pivi’s exhibition) but donations are encouraged. A free cloakroom is also available for large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and shopping bags, which must be stored before entering the gallery spaces. If you need to carry medications or items for young children, you’ll find a complimentary soft tote bag at the Front Desk.
Once inside, visitors are greeted by a giant inflatable comic cell that celebrates the power of human creativity, paying homage to the comic form, which played a vital role in Paola Pivi’s journey from Chemical Engineering student to artist. Kids and adults alike will love its cartoonish nature.
Following on from this, visitors are immediately captivated by three feathered polar bears created by Pivi for her exclusive AGWA show. These iconic bears symbolise a connection between humanity and the natural world and highlight the vulnerability polar bears face with climate change. Kids are understandably drawn to this area and are encouraged to get close but not touch the installations.
This spacious area is very accommodating for small ones and has quickly become a hotspot for photo ops.
Along the ground floor, visitors are also presented with other exhibitions, but arguably, many of these subject matters are a bit heavy for most kids. However, it’s a great opportunity to burn some energy off your kids and let them explore. For parents, it’s also very entertaining to hear young one’s questions and their interpretations of the art.
Completing the ground floor, families can either climb the grand spiral staircase (a work of art in itself) or catch the gallery’s large elevator.
Many families will definitely favour the first floor, as it hosts multiple galleries that are part of AGWA’s exciting school holiday PLAY DATES programme. The area that immediately captures visitors’ attention is the Re-Play exhibit. The room is peppered with bright colours, chill-out spots and opportunities for kids to engage in activities. This bold and interactive exhibition is the result of a powerful collaboration between AGWA and celebrated WA artist Maxxi Minaxi May. Its key purpose is to invite participants of all ages and abilities to rediscover the transformative power of creativity and play.
Plinths throughout the room are piled high with colourful objects, sparking imaginations and encouraging guests to create sculptures.
Alternatively, tables feature magnetic boards with shapes for kids to stick on, inspiring them to make their own patterned art.
There are also cushioned spots where children can relax and lie among the art. The staff are very warm and welcoming, explaining about the room as families walk in.
There is also the opportunity for kids to engage in Perth’s biggest-ever mindful colouring mural. West Australian visual artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers has created the base of the mural, stretching an impressive 13 metres long and 4.5 metres high. However, the artwork will only be completed once visitors pick up a pencil and add their own colours, transforming the line work into a vibrant collaborative piece. This is a great school holiday activity that many kids are excited to be a part of.
On the second floor, visitors can also step outside and explore the rooftop. There is a sculpture trail along with a rooftop bar that opens for events and select evenings. The rooftop fencing is high to ensure the smaller ones are well enclosed as they explore the sculptures.
Alongside many photo pieces of Paola Pivi’s scattered throughout the museum, guests can also enjoy Paolo Pivi’s final grand installation on the rooftop floor – 999 suspended trays of colourful liquid. This is understandably every parent’s worst nightmare to navigate through so it can be viewed from the side if you do not wish to walk through. Visitors are requested not touch the installation and keep a 50cm distance. The stained glass and entangled connections between the sky, light and the gallery building make for some brilliant photos.
Being a public and government-funded space, the museum caters well to families. There are multiple toilets throughout the gallery, along with a parents’ room on the ground floor.
AGWA is definitely a welcoming space for all children and families that challenges the notion of art museums being musty or boring for young ones. Paola Pivi’s free exhibition is a testament to that, and it’s great to see so many engaging summer holiday programmes to complement this great exhibition.
Paola Pivi – I don’t like it, I love it at AGWA
8 November 2025 – 26 April 2026
Open 10am – 5pm
FREE
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Scott Bignell is a proud dad and uncle who’s passionate about exploring Perth with his kids and creating meaningful family adventures. From beach days and nature trails to urban discoveries and local events, Scott is always on the lookout for the best family-friendly spots that Perth has to offer. He captures their adventures on his Instagram page @thatdadgram, sharing hiking trails, WA’s hidden gems and the odd DIY project in the hope of inspiring other dads, mums and guardians to explore, play, and create lasting memories with their kids.
