Deco Totem

Artist: Mark Datodi

Year of Work: 2019

Location: 73 Park Steet

Description: Mark Datodi’s art practice explores ideas relating to suburbia and the impact of urban
expansion. His works combine sculptural elements and patters, which often originate from an amalgamation of street patterns and West Australian native bushland. Over the last 20 years
Mark Datodi has immersed himself in public art projects, sometimes in collaboration with other
artists, creating an impressive series of work across Western Australia.
The starting point for the Deco Totem design process was the architectural Art Deco aesthetic
of the building. Importantly, in reference to the building itself, the artwork form opens at its
height and leads the eye upwards to the building’s roof garden, which forms a ‘green link’
between the building, McDougall Park and the surrounding streetscape.
The leaf-like forms of the artwork are symbolic; the leaf is a symbol of hope, renewal and
revival. The leaf pattern references the beauty and precision in the repetitive forms of plants in
the natural world, the spread of tree branches, the shape of leaves, the flow of leaf veins and
linkages of the cells. Everything is in systematic harmony.
The gestural geometry of the sculptural work shows leaves that twist and overlap organically
and rhythmically upward featuring stylised patterning on these elements reinforcing the Art
Deco language of the work. The patterns cast shadows that will change with changes in light,
and create patterns and movement over the day and at night, as they have been ground lit.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

You Are My Soul (Anta Ruwhi)

Artist: Ayad Alqaragholli

Year of Work: 2020

Location: 7 Mary Street

Description: The concept for You Are My Soul (Anta Ruwhi) arose from my observations of the natural flora and fauna and richness of the environment in the South Perth area. After migrating from Iraq in 2005 I undertook
further studies in visual arts at Curtin University. Regularly driving along the South Perth foreshore I
frequently observed the abundance of bird life and in particular pelicans. These intriguing birds
embodied for me a freedom of spirit and resonated personally as a parallel of my freedom and new beginnings in my adopted country of Australia.
The two human figures, a man and woman pay homage to the multicultural tapestry of the South Perth community and how this blend of people live, love and interact. My very first ferry trip across the Swan River to South Perth allowed me to reflect on the people of this community. I noticed that many of the people around me as I stepped onshore in South Perth were couples, young and old, strolling happily and openly displaying love and affection. It is this human element; the soulmate connection that I
depict and reflect in this sculpture. The people who comprise the diverse South Perth community are enriched by the natural environment and their freedom to enjoy this abundant landscape. I hope that my sculpture will embody the positive values of life and that the wider audience who view my sculpture will feel uplifted and blessed as did I with my first experiences of this area.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

Breeze

Artist: Stuart Green

Year of Work: 2001

Location: Judd Street Reserve, South Perth - Cnr Mill Point Road & Labouchere Road

Description: Commissioned by FINBAR. This work takes as its inspiration the movement light breezes on the adjoining water bodies, making the changing surface glisten and reflect the sky. The artwork form is both vessel and sail like, whilst its surface is reminiscent of the water surface.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

R/evolve

Artist: Ben Jones, Angela McHarrie and Tony Jones

Year of Work: 2021

Location: South Perth Foreshore, South Perth - Near River Wall, East of Mends Street Jetty

Description: This artwork symbolises ideas of change and movement associated with vehicular transport. It embodies modernist forms and materials that celebrate the past and look to the future.

This artwork is a joint commission celebrating the partnership between RAC and the City of South Perth supporting the achievement of the RAC Intellibus®, Australia’s first driverless and electric vehicle trial operating on public roads along the South Perth Foreshore.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

Imprint (glass canopy element)

Artist: Milne & Stonehouse

Year of Work: 2017

Location: Manning Community Centre, Manning - Glass Canopy over Central Walkway

Description: “The landform, the wind rippling on plant and water surfaces, the tidal ebb and flow and the sky’s projection of colour and cloud make an indelible impression upon the environment of Manning, The artworks reflect this unique character and celebrate the area.”

Asset Type: Integrated Surface

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

Entry Statement Sculptures

Artist: Tony Pankiw

Year of Work: 2008

Location: Manning Road, Waterford - Median Strip, West of Centenary Avenue

Description: This project was collaboration with Clontarf Aboriginal College, the Noongar community of the South Perth region, Curtin University and the City of South Perth.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

The Magic Tree

Artist: Coral Lowry

Year of Work: 2006

Location: Windsor Park, South Perth - Near Heritage House

Description: “The idea behind the ‘Magic Tree’ was that it had been planted in the Park and, over time, morphed into a variety of animals,” she said. “This is no ordinary tree, as stemming from the tail-like trunk are leaves that certainly require a closer look, due to the different part of various animals that can be seen within each leaf. “I wanted the Tree to be a guessing game where children could try and work out the different types and parts of the animals embodied in it.”

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

Como Jetty and Tram Artwork

Artist: Malcolm McGregor

Year of Work: 2002

Location: Melville Parade, Como - River side of Preston Street Intersection

Description: The artworks were commissioned by the Main Roads WA contractor, HWE Clough, during construction of the new bus way and footbridges on the Kwinana Freeway. The artwork was required to reflect the local identity of the Preston Street area within the freeway reserve and the new footbridge. The sculptural work introduces the theme, which extends along the footbridge as paving elements till its conclusion at the viewing platform over the river. The sculpture is partly constructed from timbers salvaged from the demolition of Wooloomoloo wharf in Sydney. The barrier wall at the base of the bridge provides a backdrop to the sculpture and has been used by the artist to incorporate a signage element.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth

Art Deco Cinema Artworks Projectors

Artist: Peter Dailey

Year of Work: 2003

Location: Como - Intersection Preston Street and Mary Street (SE)

Description: The cameras and canisters make an excellent contribution to the cultural life of the area by reflecting the significant history of the cinema and activities that have taken place around the vicinity from the past to the present. The artwork is interactive and encourages pedestrians to rotate the films and projector reels to see the historical and contemporary etchings of Como. Images include visions of the river, jetty, trams maps, street theatre and alfresco dining, capturing the identity of the street.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Provenance: City of South Perth

Image Source City of South Perth