RENOWNED Freo sculptor Tony Jones is displaying two rarely-seen works as part of the Moored exhibition in the port city.
Known for his iconic public sculptures like Eliza and CY O’Connor Horse and Rider, the octogenarian is recuperating from a major heart operation but has still found time at his O’Connor studio to get his pieces ready for the exhibition, which explores coastal identity.
“The works are loosely based on shipping markers that tell you to keep clear when you’re at sea,” Jones says.
“I often recycle stuff and one sculpture features blocks that were originally from a running track.
“I managed to get them when they were cleaning up the site.”
• Artists exhibiting at Moored: Helen Forbes, Sophia Kenna, James Kerr, Peta Miller, Antonia Radich, Kirsten Shenton-Smith, Robyn Varpins, Geoff Wake, Carolyn White, Annette Wiguna, with special guest Tony Jones (below).
Jones was asked to be a special guest at Moored, which has 11 artists’ unique take on “how they see” their home port of Fremantle.
A resident of East Freo since 1980, Jones has over the years drawn a lot of inspiration from the ships docked at Fremantle Port, especially the giant aircraft carriers.
“When you came over the top of High Street, driving to Fremantle, if you looked straight out to sea, you’d see these aircraft carriers. It was like they were hovering over the road,” he says.
“I’ve always been a sailor, and that whole space between Fremantle and Rottnest is very meaningful territory for me, whether it ends up in the artwork or not.
“I grew up on the river in Mosman Park, and then when we moved to Fremantle, I had a fair bit to do with Fremantle Sailing Club and things like that.”
Jones taught art for decades and it’s a full circle of sorts with some of his former students exhibiting in Moored.
“I was chuffed they asked me to be a guest—it’s never happened before,” he says.
Moored features about 100 artworks in a variety of mediums including photography, textiles, painting, drawing and sculpture.
All 11 artists live, work, and create within the boundaries of the port city.
The exhibition was the brainchild of participating artists Carolyn White and Peta Miller.
“We are each tethered to Fremantle in distinct ways and celebrate the wonderful creativity in our vibrant town,” says White.
“Some of the artworks included are iconic Fremantle scenes, town, and port; others are abstract interpretations and responses.
“Peta and I have both been connected to Tony Jones in our art practices over the years—mine at Central TAFE and Peta at Claremont Art School.
“He has always been such an inspiration and support for many students and artists, and we invited him to join us.”
Held at Moores Building on Henry St, the exhibition will become an interactive community hub with artist talks, tours, music, poetry and workshops.
If you get your Herald early, you can catch opening night on Friday June 5 at 6pm with former citizen of the year Ros De Souza.Moored is open daily from 10am-3pm until June 21. For more info see wfac.org.au.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK