ICONIC Fremantle artist Tony Jones has won the State Cultural Treasures Award for his “outstanding” contribution to visual arts in WA over his 50-year career.
Known best for his works Eliza, the woman diving at Matilda Bay, and CY O’Connor at Coogee Beach, Jones is an esteemed sculptor, painter, and drawer with a hefty WA-based portfolio.
Jones, who has lectured in sculpture at TAFE, is also the founder of Sculpture at Bathers which is an exhibition displaying the work of WA sculptors alongside the sea at Manjaree/Bathers Beach.
• Sculpture at Bathers founder Tony Jones has been declared a “cultural treasure”. Photo by Marnie Richardson
Thrill
Jones says it was a “big thrill without any expectation” to receive the award and have his decades-long career in the WA arts and sculpture scene recognised.
“To have been nominated is not something to take lightly,” he said.
“I’ve had a good innings in my career, and this is really special [to have it acknowledged].”
The award comes after it the announcement Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe will not be going ahead in 2025, leaving Sculptures at Bathers as Perth’s most notable beachside exhibition for the upcoming summer.
“Sculptures at Bathers has a slightly different criteria for entry, because you have to be West Australian,” Jones said.
“The work is ideally tailored to be suitable for the beach environment.
“It’s an amazingly beautiful spot, nestled along the beach and next to the vegetation [on Bathers Beach].”
Since 2013, Sculpture at Bathers has showcased sculpture from at least 320 Western Australians.
Although free to attend, Sculptures at Bathers will be running a fundraiser to “provide continuous support” for Mr Jones’ sculpture legacy and to “ensure the longevity” of the exhibition.
“[Sculptures at Bathers] is lucky if it can happen every two years,” Mr Jones said.
“It has a fairly long history of doing it on a shoestring… the last few had federal government funding, but that isn’t available so we have to try other angles.
“It’s completely dependent on funding and the goodwill and energy of our volunteers.”
For more information about the 2025 Sculpture at Bathers, as well as the fundraising campaign, is available at the Sculpture at Bathers website and social media.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER