Sculptor wants new art deal
The man behind some of Perth's most significant public art has called for a rethink on how councils commission art to avoid it being treated as a "political football".
Tony Jones, whose sculptures include Eliza in the Swan River and C.Y. O'Connor south of Fremantle, said often councils did not listen to expert advice from their own art panels but made decisions based on "uninformed commentary" and personal taste.
He suggested details of public art projects should be kept confidential before a vote to avoid councillors being swayed by the public's reaction.
Public art projects financed by councils usually require short-listed artists to make a detailed presentation to a panel that includes people from the art world. That panel makes a recommendation to council, which has the ultimate say.
"Within a best practice model, if you could have a well-constructed panel you could give them the authority to make decisions, and unless it is exceptionally controversial, then you would expect a local government authority, the council itself, to respect that decision," Jones said.
"It's too easy for art to become a political football in a council meeting. Councils are great for grandstanding and cheap shots and art is a great target for that sort of thing."
Jones, a long-time advocate of public art and sculpture, was named WA's Citizen of the Year in 2008 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2009 for his contribution to the arts.
Jones said the growth of local government-commissioned art meant it was time for a more consistent process. He said the State Government seemed to do it better because "the decisions their panels make generally hold and are respected".
"Given it's happening more and more, which is a good thing, it would be good to think that process could be worked through in a reasonable, formal way," Jones said.
"Public art, it's a whole new ball game for artists and I think they can be treated less than well by people who think 'well, they're just artists'. When it gets down to a council level, I think it's just a bit too easy for the process to unravel."
