Good viewing at FAC, something to suit even the finicky art observer. Chromatic photographs to take you away into the world of women, fine watercolours that gently capture the beauty of nature, rich rose portraits, and quilted textiles that make you stop and look in wonder.

The hall gallery is hung with Wilkinson's amazing portraits of girls and woman and food. The blurb says these images are about the complex relationships women have with food. Yes, women do have an interesting relationship with food; if not manufacturing it in their own body, they are selecting, preparing, cooking, serving and discarding scraps. Meanwhile eating too much or too little is the one thing that poses a problem with food for women. For all this, the subjects in these finely tuned images seem totally uninterested in the fruit, sweets, vegetables or meat they hold. Posed and arranged in a specific setting, like traditional portraits, each subject looks bored as she stares up or to the side. Because she does not return our gaze we feel like voyeurs, then suddenly the grapes, banana, pear, etc.  take on a different meaning. The more we look, the more we read into these totally innocent images. Fascinating!

Equally fascinating, albeit for different reasons, is the display of quilts in the main gallery. In the talented hands of today's textile artists, the respectable craft of quilting has moved off the bed and onto the wall as it morphs into a highly sophisticated artform. This biannual event showcases some of the most innovative works by top WA artist who keep pushing at the barriers. For example there's Shirley Maher's Second Skin, a free form white drape of hand felted wool, and Wendy Lugg's Vestige with its layers of recycled cotton and hemp stitched into a perfect pattern. Then there's Judith Gardiner's Hands Off that makes a strong statement against the rape of bushland in muted 'wetland' colours. And Mourning Suit 36R (in response to Sept 11) by Janie Matthews with its finely embroidered motifs of death and new life. Every exhibit is highly satisfying for its process and presentation.

Also highly satisfying are Kalab's fine artworks displayed in the back gallery. Here are captivating images of native flowers and birds that encourage appreciation of nature and admiration for artists who can capture it so well. These drawings and watercolours are rendered realistically, not just with observational accuracy but with a real sense of awe and respect for the subject matter. Kalab not only talks to nature, she listens and learns. Linger long in this room and take the time to engage with these powerful works of gentle beauty.

Beauty too is found in the rose, the subject of Bossong's exhibition. Here are close up inspections of the bloom. The swirls of petals are much the same in each image only the colours differ. It's a matter of preference if you pick the velvety red, delicate pink, gentle yellow or rich cream as they're all much of a muchness. There is a sense of delicate strength in some of the works however the over large artist's signature often interrupts contemplation.

All this goes to make a good day's viewing.