'I remember you when I'm on The Pier' by Giovanna Da Silva
Artist: Giovanna Da Silva
Year: 2025
Location: 111–119 Douglas Parade, Williamstown
"'The Pier' was developed as a site-specific response to the area in which it resides, influenced by a site visit to Williamstown in which I spent a period of time looking out into the city landscape, boats and water from the pier on a perfectly sunny day. On this day I found myself in awe of the view and the sun glistening off of the water and how this brought me a deep feeling of calm and allowed space for reflection. I shared pleasant exchanges with others who were also enjoying the view at this time including some fishermen and a man spending the day with his son. As this man was leaving he said to me "isn't this a good place to forget all of your problems?". I agreed.
This artwork captures the feeling of calm and connection I experienced that day. The image of a docked boat symbolizes how stillness can create space for the mind to wander - just as the boat moves gently on the water, my thoughts drift into memory and imagination. These shared spaces, like the pier, may evoke different reflections in each of us, but the act of pausing and connecting remains universal.
The boat was named Jose in honour of my late grandfather José Roberto Colares Da Silva. He was a good man. One of my earliest memories was sitting on a pier with him in a coastal town of Brazil when I was a child, he was teaching me how to fish. A memory that I hold close to my heart and that I am glad to see live on through this artwork."
– Giovanna Da Silva
About the artist:
Giovanna is a Brazilian Australian artist based in Naarm (Melbourne). Currently undertaking a Masters of Art in Public Space, Giovanna’s works within the public realm through muralism and her studio painting and drawing practices. Giovanna has undertaken a number of public art projects with ranging scales over her 8 years of practice locally and overseas. Giovanna has exhibited in several galleries and spaces around Australia in group exhibitions and a solo exhibition. Giovanna’s international experience includes mural residencies in India (2018) and Mongolia (2024). She has also produced and facilitated community engaged mural projects and workshops locally and overseas.
Giovanna’s current practice interests involve the collection of locally engaged ideas. While the process of situated practice, illustration and world building in image making drive her methods. Her works stand as an archive of her personal experiences expressed through symbolic forms and stylised approach. Giovanna’s public practice informs her studio work and vice versa, while being Informed by her everyday surroundings she explores themes of the personal, hyper local and pattern recognition in everyday life.
(Photography by Matto Lucas)