ABOUT US
OUR PEOPLE
ZALI MORGAN Board Director
Zali Morgan is an Emerging Artist and Curator. A Whadjuk Balladong & Wilman Noongar woman, currently based in Boorloo | Perth. Zali’s multidisciplinary practice ranges across printmaking, textile, and sculpture. Currently, the Noongar residency program Curator at Goolugatup Heathcote and Creative Producer for Place Names Bayswater with Community Arts Network.
GIORGIA MACK Board Director
Giorgia is an arts and development manager with extensive experience in partnerships and fundraising. Her experience at The Art Gallery of Western Australia and The Farm Margaret River strengthens Vessel’s fundraising, economic and strategic direction.
ISABELLA BOSWORTH Board Director
Isabella is an experienced corporate lawyer and non-executive director of Co3, the Contemporary Dance Company of WA. She has particular interest and expertise in the possibilities of growth through investment, spanning from philanthropy to social impact investment, to more traditional models of private equity and venture capital. Isabella brings governance, risk, legal and not-for-profit board expertise to Vessel.
ADAM JORLEN Board Director
Adam is a futurist and entrepreneur who co-founded the Enkel collective and leads The Naval Store project. His expertise in fostering creative ventures, business start-ups and innovation is crucial to Vessel’s forward-thinking vision.
ANNIKA KRISTENSEN Board Director
Annika is a highly experienced curator with a focus on commissioning contemporary art, public art, and engaging broader audiences. Her leadership enhances Vessel’s artistic vision. Annika has held curatorial positions at the Perth Festival, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne and the Biennale of Sydney.
Executive Directors
NINA JUNIPER Co-Director, Operations and Artistic Programs
Nina brings over 10 years of experience in the arts sector to Vessel’s leadership, with expertise in studio management, education, and exhibition programs. Most recently as Manager of The Naval Store and co-founder of CURRENT Gallery, she champions the creation of community spaces for the arts, while her extensive experience with national institutions and commercial galleries enhances Vessel’s outreach and partnerships. Her commitment to supporting both artistic and professional development, combined with her own visual arts practice and exhibition history, enriches Vessel’s vision and impact.
WILL EK UVELIUS Co-Director Strategy, Communications and Engagement
Will is an interdisciplinary creative focusing on design thinking, art, and social justice. His experience spans creative strategy, cultural research, and design, together with co-founding the grassroots initiative CURRENT Gallery, his extensive experience in creative strategy enhances Vessel’s leadership and vision.
STRATEGIES
VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
Transparency:
We are committed to open and honest communication, ensuring that our selection processes, partnerships, and operations are clear and accessible to everyone.Transparency shows a commitment to our democratic principles as an organisation and our dedication to it underlines our responsibility as a not-for-profit incorporated association.
We are committed to open and honest communication, ensuring that our selection processes, partnerships, and operations are clear and accessible to everyone.Transparency shows a commitment to our democratic principles as an organisation and our dedication to it underlines our responsibility as a not-for-profit incorporated association.
Collaboration:
Strong partnerships and collaborative efforts are fundamental to augmenting our social and cultural impact. We believe in building on existing diverse networks of organisations and individuals to enhance our collective strength and achieve shared goals.
Strong partnerships and collaborative efforts are fundamental to augmenting our social and cultural impact. We believe in building on existing diverse networks of organisations and individuals to enhance our collective strength and achieve shared goals.
Independence:
Our independence is paramount; it ensures that our programming and organisational choices remain uninfluenced by external stakeholders. A diverse group of funders and board members supports this autonomy, allowing us to stay true to our artistic vision.
Our independence is paramount; it ensures that our programming and organisational choices remain uninfluenced by external stakeholders. A diverse group of funders and board members supports this autonomy, allowing us to stay true to our artistic vision.
Equity:
We believe in fair compensation for all contributors, recognising that a sustainable, professional environment is key to preventing burnout and promoting long-term viability. This approach supports a diverse and inclusive organisation by not limiting participation to those who can afford to volunteer.
We believe in fair compensation for all contributors, recognising that a sustainable, professional environment is key to preventing burnout and promoting long-term viability. This approach supports a diverse and inclusive organisation by not limiting participation to those who can afford to volunteer.
Diverse Perspectives:
Embracing a multitude of viewpoints is crucial for a rich and impactful output. We value the inclusion of varied cultural, social, and artistic lenses to enrich our understanding and expression.
Embracing a multitude of viewpoints is crucial for a rich and impactful output. We value the inclusion of varied cultural, social, and artistic lenses to enrich our understanding and expression.
Agile Structures:
We embrace flexibility and an openness to change, with a focus on adaptable structures and systems. This allows us to navigate the unpredictable nature of the arts sector, prioritising direction and vision over rigid plans.
We embrace flexibility and an openness to change, with a focus on adaptable structures and systems. This allows us to navigate the unpredictable nature of the arts sector, prioritising direction and vision over rigid plans.
Experimentation:
We prioritise creative risk-taking over playing it safe, fostering an environment where experimental and exciting art can thrive. This value reflects our belief in pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territories.
We prioritise creative risk-taking over playing it safe, fostering an environment where experimental and exciting art can thrive. This value reflects our belief in pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territories.
Development and Learning:
In our organisation, growth and education are continuous processes for everyone involved, in both creative or administrative roles. We advocate for lifelong learning, professional and personal development as core aspects of our culture.
Shared Leadership:
When appropriate, our leadership model distributes power across the organisation to encourage participatory decision-making and collective accountability. This approach supports our commitment to democratic principles and helps create a sense of ownership among everyone involved in the organisation.
When appropriate, our leadership model distributes power across the organisation to encourage participatory decision-making and collective accountability. This approach supports our commitment to democratic principles and helps create a sense of ownership among everyone involved in the organisation.
ANNUAL
REPORTS
ANNUAL REPORT SNAPSHOT
ANNUAL REPORT FULL VERSION
The numbers tell one story: 18 artists paid, 25 artsworkers employed, $57,000 invested in artist fees. 4000 visitors, over 1200 people at our two opening nights, hundreds of thousands of people reached through media coverage, 456 participants across 16 public programs, alongside collaborations with 5 local organisations- Fremantle Biennale, Cool Change Contemporary, ToneList, Good Together and Freocast.
But the real story is what these figures represent: It is the 250 school children collaborating with Naarm-based artist Gian Manik on ideas of place and future. It is the audience lying in hammocks for over 30 minutes, completely absorbed in international artist duo Hylozoic/Desires’ mesmerising performance installation. It’s First Nations artist Amanda Bell finding new confidence in her artistic identity through our inaugural artist-in-residency. It’s the sold-out contemporary performance by Swiss experimental dance collective, Young Boy Dancing Group. It’s the ongoing gatherings across events, cinema nights and learning programs that spark dialogue and connection throughout the year.
What we’ve discovered—what our artists, audiences, and collaborators have shown us—is that there was indeed a missing piece in Western Australia’s arts ecology. A space willing to be experimental, generous, and courageous. A platform that pays artists fairly, supports the entire ecosystem of artsworkers, and trusts audiences with challenging ideas about the future, and the past.
We believe that gap can only be filled through transparent, empathetic collaboration. Because fundamentally, we all want the same thing: more contemporary art here in WA, presented with integrity and ambition.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we’re clear-eyed about the work ahead and confident in our foundation. We’ve established Vessel as a respected voice in our cultural landscape, created sustainable infrastructure, and most importantly demonstrated that there’s a hunger for the kind of programming we offer, with excitement for more.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re just getting started!
Will Ek Uvelius and Nina Juniper
Co-Directors, Vessel Contemporary