Artist Jerome Davenport chosen to bring Onslow’s long awaited water tank mural project to life

Plans for the long-awaited water tank mural in Onslow are moving ahead again after the local council appointed a new artist to deliver the project. Shire of Ashburton councillors voted to endorse the concept design of the project, budgeted at $150,000, and for the chief executive to enter a contract with Jerome Davenport to complete the contracted works within the next 12 months. The Perth-based artist has had his works displayed all over the world and has painted walls in London and joined street art festivals across Europe. It’s the latest update for the project which originally began in 2018 before Guido van Helten was selected in 2019 to create the mural. The long-awaited project was thrown into disarray in May 2021 when van Helten walked away in the wake of disagreements over its design. Van Helten, who had spent seven weeks in Onslow while he came up with his design, accused the Shire of rejecting his design because it was “too Indigenous”, a claim the Shire denies. Councillors voted at their June 2021 meeting to continue with the project and establish an artwork selection working group to help deliver the project and in August councillors endorsed a confidential item to terminate the contract between van Helten and the Shire. As part of the motion, van Helten is required to make no further claims against the Shire of Ashburton. The Shire then appointed Element Advisory in July last year to provide art consultancy services, assist the delivery of the project and facilitate the process. The local government also created a community art working group to help get feedback on any proposed designs. Shire president Kerry White was pleased to welcome Davenport and looks forward to the continuation of the project. “Council is pleased to continue the Onslow water tank mural project with the appointment of Jerome Davenport,” she said. “The mural project provides a great opportunity to showcase what makes Onslow such a unique place to live. “With an extensive history, the Onslow tank murals will highlight to new members of our community and travellers, the different facets of the region that make the town what it is today.” The project is expected to be completed within the next financial year.