Despite being born in Bristol and calling West Cork home, John Kelly is always welcomed “home” with open arms when he returns to Sunshine.
The internationally acclaimed artist’s formative years were spent in Melbourne’s industrial west – at his parents’ home in Sunshine North.
Last week, his family’s connection to the area was cemented, and quite literally fixed in place, with the official unveiling of his 5.5-metre bronze sculpture,Man lifting cow, that now holds court in Sunshine’s CBD.
It took 12 months for Man lifting cow to be made at Fundere foundry in Sunshine.
Kelly says the sculpture tells the story of artist William Dobell’s involvement in World War II, in which he served as a camouflage labourer.
He was one of several artists who were ordered to make papier-mache cows and move them around Australian military bases to fool Japanese pilots.
“So it might be a monument to our artists who served Australia in World War II, defending this country with clever designs and tricks,” he said. “Or, alternatively, it may be a monument to the absurdity of it all.”
He said the cow was in the shape of a milk carton, a reference to the “win a wish” competition advertised on the back of a milk carton his mother, Margaret, entered and won. Her wish was to send her son to art school.
“It’s the wish come true of course,” the artist said.
Alexandra Laskie
