Under this scheme, Bob Hawke College was fortunate to have secured the talents of artists Penelope Forlano and Jon Tarry for two very different creative projects around the College. For a College where new technology is at the forefront of education, it is fitting that Penelope Forlano and Jon Tarry have, in completely different ways, embraced technology and combined this with traditional techniques and ideas to create their work.
College Façade Fins and Words Routed in to Bricks
Penelope Forlano
To create the twisting forms and complex laser cut patterns of the façade fins and the words routed into the bricks, artist Penelope Forlano used complex computer design programs.
The façade fins were designed to resemble the texture and peeling quality of nearby paperbark trees. Layered, complex and peeling open, these fins suggest that knowledge is acquired by stripping back the superficial to delve deeper into the subject.
The featured text within the brickwork and fin perforations is intentionally subtle and open to interpretation, encouraging people to discover and develop their own meaning. Both Whadjuk Nyoongar and English text are featured, emphasising shared memories, celebrations, goals and aspirations. Penelope’s artwork celebrates the site’s history while acknowledging its future as a place of learning.
Words include Commonage, Karmany (trustworthy), Ni (Listen, pay attention), Kolbang (go forward), Risk, Change, Yira Kooliny (Rise up), Goal, Wardiny (Looking for, search), Leap, Balang- pursue, Koora- before/ long ago, Season, Land, Mark, Time, Rise and Fall.
Bob Hawke Bronze Bust
Jon Tarry
Immediately after the College was formally named in honour of Bob Hawke, Jon Tarry was commissioned to create a bronze bust of the former Prime Minister.
Jon began the complex process of bronze lost wax casting – an ancient and time-honoured process used for thousands of years all over the world. What was particularly challenging about this project was that Jon had to create a three dimensional likeness with only black and white photographs as a reference.
Embracing technology, Jon had photos of Bob Hawke scanned into a computer program that mapped the proportions of his face, printing them in 3D. In capturing Bob Hawke’s expression, Jon’s aim was to convey compassion, contemplation, reflection and the liveliness for which he was renowned.
Bob Hawke College Physical Activity Uniform
Jade Dolman
Katitjin Bidi (Knowledge Journey)
The College commissioned indigenous artist, Jade Dolman, to design the student sports uniform.
The Bob Hawke College sports uniform incorporates Jade’s unique artwork, which tells the story of a journey, in particular, the journey of students through their education and their youth.
Jade is a Whadjuk/Balladong Nyoongar (Mother’s side), Eastern Arrernte (Father’s side) woman from Perth. She is a visual artist and a cultural educator.
Jade remains connected to her culture through painting and family. She has a passion for making a change for Indigenous Australians especially youth through different forms of art whether it be painting or dance.
Jade is very passionate about her work with the community and feels privileged to share her knowledge and to facilitate discussions around current issues Aboriginal people face as well as creating conversations around the next step forward.
College Furniture
Construction of the College required three trees (a Sugar Gum, Kurrajong and Flooded Gum) on Coghlan Road to be removed. The trees were professionally felled and once dried, were used to create furniture and stair balustrades throughout the College.
We would like to acknowledge the designers and craftsmen for their incredible work in creating beautiful pieces which will become part of the College’s history.
Furniture was designed by ATC Studio’s Patrick Beale and Bill Busfield. The timber was slabbed and dried at Inglewood Products Group with Carlo Gosatti and David Gosatti felling, sawmilling and seasoning the timber. Craftsmen included Domenico Yozzi, Zvonko Nedev and Patrick Beale, Claude Delle Donne from Wangara French Polishers, Bill Busfield and Andre Vanrullen. Priestman and Sharpe in Shenton Park finished and painted the steelworks, with glass supplied by Matt Smith from Leederville Glass.
The wood for the balustrades was slabbed and dried at Inglewood Products Group. Appropriate pieces were selected by Svonko Nedev and Patrick Beale and then installed by Timothy Wheatly from the Tintinara Building Company. Coating and Finishing was completed by Daniel Pal.