A visit to the Art Gallery of Western Australia is a lovely way to spend a few hours in the city, and its current Stormie Mills exhibition offers plenty to stop and think about. Bringing together vast landscapes and the artist’s distinctive characters, All the secrets are buried between the oceans and the mountains explores the experiences, emotions and unspoken stories we carry through life.
Showing until 8 November 2026, this free exhibition is the Western Australian artist’s first solo exhibition at an Australian state gallery. Whether you’re already familiar with his street art or discovering his work for the first time, it’s an opportunity to take a closer look at an artist whose career began on the streets in 1984.
Mills works with a restrained palette of black, white, grey and silver. Rather than relying on bright colours, his paintings draw attention to the figures themselves and their place in the world. His whimsical characters explore loneliness, tenderness and resilience, with an underlying sense of hope. You don’t need an art background to find a connection with these very human themes.
Two enormous paintings, each measuring 12 metres long, are a highlight of the exhibition. One references the ocean and the other the mountains, placing Mills’ characters against expansive, sometimes unforgiving environments. The contrast between the small figures and their surroundings invites you to step back and take in the scale, then move closer to explore the details.
The landscapes reflect places Mills has travelled through, while the exhibition also draws on his personal history. Born in Wales and raised in Perth, he now divides his time between Perth and Venice. Painting provided a sense of continuity during an unsettled early life, and that experience informs the vulnerability and determination found throughout his work.
There’s also a chance to pause and reflect in All the secrets, a contemplative room created by AGWA’s Learning and Engagement Team. Visitors are invited to write down a secret and then shred it, with the anonymous fragments later receiving a creative response and being transformed into something new. It’s a thoughtful extension of the exhibition’s themes, encouraging you to consider what you choose to share and what you keep to yourself. The room is intended for an intimate experience rather than large groups.
If you enjoy browsing a gallery shop, allow some time for the AGWA Design Store before leaving. A collection created especially for the exhibition includes limited-edition lamps individually hand-finished by Mills, a 3D-printed figurine and clothing featuring his recognisable characters. It’s another way to explore how his artwork moves beyond the canvas.
Located in the Perth Cultural Centre, the gallery makes a convenient starting point for a cultural day out. You could meet a friend for the exhibition, leave time for a coffee afterwards, or combine your visit with the nearby State Library or WA Museum Boola Bardip.
AGWA has useful facilities for anyone who would appreciate a little extra support during their visit. Lifts provide access between levels, accessible toilets are available in the main building, and the gallery’s sensory and access map identifies seating areas and quieter spaces. Large-format exhibition labels are also available through the Information Desk.
Manual wheelchairs, a walking frame and an electric buggy can be borrowed free of charge from reception. Booking ahead is recommended, with at least 24 hours’ notice required for the electric buggy. ACROD parking is available in the Perth Cultural Centre car parks, and taxis can access a drop-off point within 30 metres of the main entrance.
With free entry and themes that lend themselves to quiet reflection or conversation with a friend, this is an exhibition worth making time for before it finishes in November.
Stormie Mills: All the secrets are buried between the oceans and the mountains runs from 1 August to 8 November 2026 at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Cultural Centre. The gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Entry to the exhibition is free, with voluntary donations welcomed. Find out more on the AGWA exhibition website, or call 08 9492 6601 for access equipment bookings.
