One of Australia’s most celebrated artists has returned to the Kimberley with a double celebration of the place that has long inspired his work, launching both his latest exhibition and Broome’s inaugural Fan Festival.

Internationally acclaimed master printmaker, painter and sculptor Leon Pericles has spent decades immersed in the town’s remarkable past.

A passionate student of Broome’s history, Pericles has an encyclopaedic knowledge of its pearling heritage, multicultural beginnings and colourful characters — stories that continue to find their way into his art.

“The history is the main thing that Broome has,” he said.

His latest exhibition at Black Stump Gallery, Contemporary Archaeology, running from July 17 to 30 is an exploration of time, transformation and hidden stories within everyday discarded objects.

This collection of works opened alongside the inaugural Fan Festival at the weekend (July 14-19), a community arts initiative spearheaded by Pericles.

More than 50 Kimberley artists transformed hand-painted fans into original works of art for the festival, celebrating Broome and its history, with a curated exhibition at TREEhouse Gallery on Rivergum Street.

Every fan was for sale, with proceeds going directly to the artists.

Inspired by Broome’s deep-set roots and historic connections with Asian cultures, where decorative fans are both practical objects and works of art, the festival celebrates the town’s unique cultural heritage through colour and creativity.

Pericles said he had been inspired by the response from local artists.

“The artists here are all painting such highly exotic things in wonderful, bright Broome taste,” he said.

The festival also attracted support from 15 local businesses, each creating custom-designed fans featuring their own artwork and branding, extending the exhibition beyond the gallery and into the streets of Broome.

Pericles said he hoped the event would become an enduring part of the town’s cultural identity.

“This is about creating something that belongs to Broome,” he said.

“A shared visual experience that celebrates colour, culture and creativity, and brings people together in a simple but powerful way.”

Presented on a not-for-profit basis, organisers hope the Fan Festival will become an annual fixture, strengthening Broome’s arts sector while supporting local artists and businesses.