Step inside one of Subiaco’s most significant heritage homes and discover a nationally significant collection of Australian women’s art on an exclusive guided tour led by owner and collector Thomas Murrell.
As part of the 2026 Fairview Festival of Flowers, visitors will experience the beauty of historic Fairview, a magnificent Federation-era mansion built in 1915 and renowned for its stunning stained glass, ornate architecture and rich local history.
The 90-minute tour offers rare access to the private Fairview Art Collection, which focuses on underrepresented Australian artists, particularly Western Australian women. This year’s festival shines a spotlight on Ella Fry CBE (1916-1997), the painter, pianist and arts leader who became the first woman to chair an Australian state art gallery. Guests will discover her remarkable story and view her painting Salt Lakes, Rottnest (1951), held in the Fairview collection.
The festival also explores the theme of flowers as symbols of kindness, connecting the garden, historic stained glass and floral artworks throughout the collection.
Following the tour, guests can purchase signed books about the collection and enjoy an informal opportunity to chat with Thomas Murrell about art, heritage and the stories behind the collection.
Highlights:
- Exclusive owner-led tour of historic Fairview.
- Explore a nationally significant collection of Australian women’s art.
- Discover the story of pioneering artist Ella Fry CBE.
- Experience heritage stained glass, architecture and gardens in bloom.
- Small group tours with opportunities for questions and discussion.
