Fremantle Prison will host the Dancing in Fetters exhibition from 16 September 2023 – 28 January 2024.
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of convict dance and music.
Fremantle Prison proudly presents an exhibition curated from the extensive doctoral research of Dr. Heather Blasdale Clarke.
Unearth the poignant tales of defiance, freedom, and self-expression through dance in the early penal colony.
Witness an extraordinary blend of history and art, enhanced with interactive tutorials, first-hand convict accounts, and rare artefacts.
From convict ships to colonial prisons, uncover stories spun from unlikely sources like medical journals and police reports.
Discover Fremantle Prison’s unique musical narrative, including the story of the Fenians and their voyage of dance and defiance.
The rhythm of the past beckons. Dive into a captivating chapter of Australia’s history like never before!
Curator’s Talk
Join Curator’s Heather Clarke and Eleanor Lambert as they walk you through our new exhibition Dancing in Fetters: The Culture of Convict Dance.
Fremantle Prison will host the Dancing in Fetters exhibition from 16 September 2023 – 28 January 2024.
Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the 19th century and remained in continual use until 1991. The Prison was a place of hangings, floggings, dramatic convict escapes and prisoner riots. Inmates included imperial convicts, colonial prisoners, enemy aliens, prisoners of war and maximum-security detainees. Read more >>
Fremantle Prison is one of 11 historic sites that together form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.
