Pit Pony
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Shakey (Jacob butler)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: 62 Forrest St
Provenance: Shire of collie
Description: After spending a day with the staff at the Coalfields Museum and Historical Research Centre, Shakey was inspired by local mining history and the stories of pit ponies once used in Collie’s coal mines. Referencing photographs sourced from the museum, Shakey has painted an imagined story of children running off with a pit pony to play miner for the day.
About the artist:
Shakey (Jacob Butler) is an artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Jacob’s art career began on the wharf in 2013, where he experimented using paint and colour for the first time whilst decorating his workmate’s hard-hats. The demand for Jacob’s artwork grew fast as well as his passion and drive to paint bigger and better. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. His recent painting for Telethon 2020, televised and painted over 10 hours, raised $25,000 for Telethon. Since 2018 Jacob has developed a very successful and exclusive live wedding portrait painting business, which sees him frequently travelling across the country to paint wedding portraits in the major cities. During the winter season, Jacob focuses his energies on large-scale murals across Western Australia and is currently working towards his second exhibition. His story has been featured in the West Australian, Channel 7’s Today Tonight, on radio and via an award winning short film, Shakey’s Story.
Collie-Cardiff RSL Tribute
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Shakey (Jacob Butler)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: 1 Lefroy St (Collie-Cardiff RSL)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “After meeting with the Collie-Cardiff RSL, visiting the Collie Local History Collection and the Coalfields Museum and Research Centre, and talking with other Collie locals, I was struck by the profound impact that war has had on the history of Collie. It’s been said that the town has sent more of its population to war (on a per capita basis) than any other community in Australia.
Instead of capturing the devastating side of war, I wanted to create an uplifting mural that focuses on camaraderie, mateship and the loyalty that each soldier has for one another. I chose the iconic game of two-up as the driver behind the mural – a game that was enjoyed before, during and after times of war, that links servicemen and women together.
The first scene in the mural depicts two-up being played during the different wars throughout history. Some of the portraits are of Collie servicemen, including VC winner Martin O’Meara as well as current RSL members.
The second scene is recreation of the RSLWA logo, modified in 1990 to include a sailor, soldier, airman and servicewoman. The portraits are of proud, happy servicemen and women including an Aboriginal infantryman, acknowledging Collie as the town that is believed to be the first place in Western Australia to acknowledge Aboriginal servicemen in a formal war memorial.
The remaining scenes include a portrait of Ron ‘Collie Boy’ Miffling sharing a photo of his wife and child with a fellow soldier. The depiction represents the act of sharing and storytelling, as well as the sacrifice that servicemen and women make by leaving their loved ones behind. Also among the portraits is a depiction of Martin O'Meara VC, who rescued up to 25 soldiers from no-man's land, a representation of the importance of never leaving your fellow soldier behind – both during and after the war.” Shakey (Jacob Butler)
About the artist:
Jacob Butler (Shakey) is a young, self-taught artist based in Fremantle. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. He is currently working on large scale murals and performing live wedding art in and around Australia. Between commissions he also continues his art workshops for people with disabilities and is working towards his second exhibition.
Timber Workers
Image source Jacob Butler
Artist: Shakey (Jacob Butler)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2021
Location: 75 Throssell St (Mineworkers Institute)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: This mural is a tribute to the Collie timber industry workers who worked on both the railways and in the underground mines throughout Collie’s early history. The artwork is based on historical imagery of workers, known as broad-axe super cutters, from the early 1900s.
About the artist:
Shakey (Jacob Butler) is an artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Jacob’s art career began on the wharf in 2013, where he experimented using paint and colour for the first time whilst decorating his workmate’s hard-hats. The demand for Jacob’s artwork grew fast as well as his passion and drive to paint bigger and better. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. His recent painting for Telethon 2020, televised and painted over 10 hours, raised $25,000 for Telethon. Since 2018 Jacob has developed a very successful and exclusive live wedding portrait painting business, which sees him frequently travelling across the country to paint wedding portraits in the major cities. During the winter season, Jacob focuses his energies on large-scale murals across Western Australia and is currently working towards his second exhibition. His story has been featured in the West Australian, Channel 7’s Today Tonight, on radio and via an award winning short film, Shakey’s Story.
Kwobidak Koondarm
Image source Jacob Butler
Artist: Shakey (Jacob Butler), with guidance from Joe Northover
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2022
Location: Collie Senior High School, 76 Wittenoom St
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “Kwobidak koondarm, means beautiful dreams. This is the name given to this mural by Bianca and Ijah Coyle, the parents of the three sisters who are painted in this mural.
My intention was to paint a mural for the younger generation of Collie that reflects setting out on your own journey in life but doing it with pride and always having your culture and your traditions close to your heart.
Under the guidance and consultation with local Elder, Joe Northover, we were given the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a young family in Collie and capture three beautiful sisters at Minninup Pool, a sacred place and resting place of the Ngangungudditj Walgu.
Thank you Joe Northover, Bianca, Ijah and your family for collaborating with us and everyone who helped make this mural come to life.” Shakey (Jacob Butler)
About the artist:
Shakey (Jacob Butler) is an artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Jacob’s art career began on the wharf in 2013, where he experimented using paint and colour for the first time whilst decorating his workmate’s hard-hats. The demand for Jacob’s artwork grew fast as well as his passion and drive to paint bigger and better. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. His recent painting for Telethon 2020, televised and painted over 10 hours, raised $25,000 for Telethon. Since 2018 Jacob has developed a very successful and exclusive live wedding portrait painting business, which sees him frequently travelling across the country to paint wedding portraits in the major cities. During the winter season, Jacob focuses his energies on large-scale murals across Western Australia and is currently working towards his second exhibition. His story has been featured in the West Australian, Channel 7’s Today Tonight, on radio and via an award winning short film, Shakey’s Story.
Coal Mining Through the Ages
Image source Shire of Collie
Artist: Shakey (Jacob Butler)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2021
Location: Collie Woolworths, rear carpark
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “Collie coal has played a vital role in the development of Western Australia. The danger and hard work that the men (and women who supported the family) endured is incredible and hard to comprehend in this day and age.
I wanted to pay tribute to the underground coal mining industry in two parts.
Central to part one is a hostler walking out with his pit pony at the end of shift. The painting is referenced from a photo taken at the Bullfinch Coal Mine (Proprietary )Collie in April 1939.
Part two is laid out like a timeline, from the early days (earliest reference photo from 1939) dominated by manual-handling up until the introduction of machinery like the bobcat and the Alpine Continuous Miner.” Shakey (Jacob Butler)
About the artist:
Shakey (Jacob Butler) is an artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Jacob’s art career began on the wharf in 2013, where he experimented using paint and colour for the first time whilst decorating his workmate’s hard-hats. The demand for Jacob’s artwork grew fast as well as his passion and drive to paint bigger and better. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. His recent painting for Telethon 2020, televised and painted over 10 hours, raised $25,000 for Telethon. Since 2018 Jacob has developed a very successful and exclusive live wedding portrait painting business, which sees him frequently travelling across the country to paint wedding portraits in the major cities. During the winter season, Jacob focuses his energies on large-scale murals across Western Australia and is currently working towards his second exhibition. His story has been featured in the West Australian, Channel 7’s Today Tonight, on radio and via an award winning short film, Shakey’s Story.
Boronia Gully
Image source Shire of Collie
Artist: Shakey (Jacob Butler), guidance from Joe Northover
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2021
Location: Collie Shire Office, 87 Throssell St
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: This mural depicts Aboriginal community members and leaders Jimmy and Mary Meares, Ray Davis and his father Mr Davis, and Jack Slaven and his wife. They stand at Minninup Pool the sacred resting place of the Ngangungudditj Walgu (hairy faced snake), on the Collie River.
About the artist:
Shakey (Jacob Butler) is an artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Jacob works in many mediums including acrylics, oils, pastel and aerosol. Jacob’s essential tremor that existed from birth got him branded ‘Shakey’, giving him his unique, free-flowing, intuitive style. Jacob’s art career began on the wharf in 2013, where he experimented using paint and colour for the first time whilst decorating his workmate’s hard-hats. The demand for Jacob’s artwork grew fast as well as his passion and drive to paint bigger and better. Since becoming a full-time artist he has been invited to paint live in front of large audiences for private concerts, gala balls, weddings and large charity events internationally, with his paintings yielding very successful results due to the raw energy put into his work whilst under pressure. His recent painting for Telethon 2020, televised and painted over 10 hours, raised $25,000 for Telethon. Since 2018 Jacob has developed a very successful and exclusive live wedding portrait painting business, which sees him frequently travelling across the country to paint wedding portraits in the major cities. During the winter season, Jacob focuses his energies on large-scale murals across Western Australia and is currently working towards his second exhibition. His story has been featured in the West Australian, Channel 7’s Today Tonight, on radio and via an award winning short film, Shakey’s Story.