Batavia Shipwreck – Lucretia’s Lament

Paper, steel, acrylic.  2021 – 2026

Kristie Rowe is a multidisciplinary Visual Artist based in Walyalup/ Fremantle who creates innovative site specific installation and live performances.

This artwork erose from research into the events of the Batavia Mutiny off Geraldton in 1629. This paper series evolved from Kristie’s earlier creation of a 17th century Dutch inspired sculptural costume with 12 changeable hand-cut visuals of the retelling of the story from the perspective of Batavia survivor Lucretia Jans.  

Five featured hand-cut works of the 12 part series;

1. 1628 Dutch East India ship, Batavia sets sail from the Netherlands on her maiden voyage laden with riches for trading spices. 

2. Headed for Batavia, the Dutch spice trading capital of Java.

3. Mutineers plot to take control of the shipbut hit a reef on Houtman Abrolhos Islands. Commander Pelsaert flees on a longboat to Java seeking rescue while leaving under merchant head-mutineer, Jeronimus Cornelius under control.

4. Stranded on the small islands surviving oncollected rainwater and seabirds, Cornelius gradually orders the killing off of 125 men, women and children.

5. Pelsaert returns, orders torture and punishment by hanging. Before being hung Cornelius’ hands are chopped off and sink into the depths of the Indian Ocean. 

Link to Kristie Rowe’s sculptural costume at the WA Shipwreck Museum     

Link to Kristie Rowe’s sculptural costume at the WA Shipwreck Museum     

Terra Australis Incognita

The Garde

Terra Australis Incognita

3060 mm x 2000mm (Diptych)

Oil on Canvas, 2026

While researching the Batavia Shipwreck of 1629, the artist was inspired by the idea that those who perished on the desolate Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia carried seeds for spices and plants from their homeland, intended for cultivation in their new destination, Java.

Perhaps these seeds gave rise to a flourish of exotic botanicals on the archipelago long after the shipwrecked were gone.

Drawing on stories of mutiny, sacrifice and transformation, the work reimagines the tragedy as an alchemical phenomenon. Built up over several years, layers of oil paint explore the cycles of nature, the passage of time, lunar connections, and the transformative power of storytelling.