Jon Denaro
“I emphasise the decision pathways and hand tooling; I value the repair and mistakes and show their evidence, like a painter,”
- Jon Denaro
Jon Denaro is a sculptor whose work focuses on exploring materials, repairing them, and using the tactile language of metal. With a career spanning three decades, his work reflects his enduring commitment to hand-crafted processes and the layered narratives embedded in found objects. Based in Western Australia, he draws on biological and physiological references to create contemporary sculptures that blend precision with imperfection.
Working primarily with metal, he constructs idiosyncratic forms that celebrate the physicality of the creative process. His sculptures resist industrial polish in favour of an expressive, organic sensibility, inviting viewers into a space where material, shape and colour engage in dialogue.
Denaro has completed over forty public art commissions, ranging from monumental freestanding works and integrated architectural façades to functional design pieces, such as bike racks. He has held twenty-two solo exhibitions and thirty group shows, and has been invited to exhibit at Sculpture by the Sea on eleven occasions in Cottesloe and twice in Bondi. Regardless of scale or context, Denaro’s work continues to demonstrate the importance of the artist’s touch in shaping our shared environments.
Image: Dion Robeson
About the Artist
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Born 1962 in Maryborough, Queensland. Lives and works in Perth
Sculptor and painter creating hand-crafted metal artworks and 2D layered paintings. Holds a BA Fine Arts (Sculpture) from University of Hobart and a Diploma in Art and Design from Claremont School of Art. Completed a research residency at Symbiotica, University of Western Australia.
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Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025
Soul Shaped Devolution, Linton & Kay Subiaco, WA2022
Whatever, Linton & Kay West Perth, WA2017
Texture of Making, Moores Building Art Gallery, Fremantle, WA2016
Strange Passion, Kidogo ArtsSpace, Fremantle, WA2015
Memory Structure, Linton & Kay Perth, WA2014
Biomimic, Linton & Kay Perth, WA2009
Revelator, Gomboc Sculpture Gallery, WA
The Shape of Colour, Margaret River Gallery, WA2008
Biomemesis, Libby Edwards, Sydney, NSW2007
Biomemesis, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane, QLD
Oceanianism, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, WA2003
Super Nature, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, WA2002
New Sculpture, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, WA2001
Second Skin, Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA2000
Beautitude (Artrage), Moore’s Building, Fremantle, WA1998
The Shape of Colour, Margaret River Gallery, WA1997
Fairy Motors, Margaret River Gallery, WA1996
The Shape of Modern, Delaney Gallery, Perth, WA1995
Artrage, PICA Ground Floor, Perth, WA
Information Super Highway Vehicles, Moore’s Building, Fremantle, WA
Making, Margaret River Gallery, WA1993
Soul Shaped Devolution, Delaney Gallery, Perth, WA1989
Images, University of Tasmania Foyer Space, Hobart, TAS
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, NSW2022
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2020
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2019
Bunbury Biennale, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2018
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2015
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, NSW2014
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2012
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2010
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2008
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2007
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA
Joondalup Invitation Exhibition, WA2006
City of Cockburn Art Award, WA
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2005
Artopia, Forrest Place, Perth, WA
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA2004
Joondalup Invitational, WA2003
Art 03 Invitational Award, Perth, WA
Xanadu Winery Invitational, Margaret River, WA2002
City of Melville Art Award, Booragoon, WA (Award for Excellence)
Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park Anniversary Exhibition, Middle Swan, WA
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne, VIC2001
SymbioticA, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA (Research Residency)1999
Art Expo, Melbourne (with Gomboc Gallery), VIC
Artwork in Progress, LIA Group, Margaret River, WA1998
Sculpture by the Sea, Albany, WA
Southwest Survey, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA1995
Artrage, Perth, WA
Art Expo, Perth Entertainment Centre, Perth, WA
Title, Delaney Gallery, Perth, WA1994
New Directions, Margaret River Gallery, Margaret River, WA
Don’t Panic, Alternative Technology Centre, Margaret River, WA
Juniper Show, Monsoon Gallery, Broome, WA1993
Sculpture Survey, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Middle Swan, WA1992
Sublime, Bridgetown Artists Guild, WA
Survey, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Middle Swan, WA
Bannamah Gallery, Yallingup, WA
South West Survey, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, Bunbury, WA1991
Sculpture Survey, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Middle Swan, WA
Artspace, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart, TAS
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Public Art Commissions
2024
Nest, Intercontinental Hotel, Perth, WA2023
Deconstruction Reconstruction, The Fly-Boys, Fluvial + The Jumpups, PHIA, WA
The Rail, The Ribbon + The Zimpels Catalogue, ONE Subiaco, WA
Warp + Weft, The Brixton, East Victoria Park, WA2022
Currents, South Perth Coles, WA2021
Canopy, Port Hedland International Airport, WA
Coffee Cups, North Perth, WA2020
The Mini, Leederville, WA2019
Entry Sculpture, Ritz Hotel Elizabeth Quay, Perth, WA2018
Power For The People, Fabric Property Group, WA
Perron Group, Central Park Foyer Art Relocation, Perth, WA2017
Endeavour, Mid Ship Section 1:1 Replica, Cantonment Hill, Fremantle, WA2016
City Of Vincent Arm, Urban Housing Commission, Leederville, WA2015
Grounds Kent Architects / Australind Foreshore Marina Project, WA2014
Deep Water Point, Jetty Project Seating/Community Programs, City Of Melville, WA2012
Aranmore Catholic School, Architectural Sculpture, City Of Vincent, WA
Governor Stirling SHS, Architectural Cladding/Sculpture, Woodbridge, WA2011
Bikelab, Greenwood Station, WA2010
Western Power, Large Scale Sculpture, Safety Bay, WA
Palm Beach Architectural Structure Indigenous Mentorship, City Of Rockingham, WA2009
City Of Rockingham, Z Force Memorial Sculptures, WA2008
Bike Lab, Perth Children’s Festival Artist Program Director, WA
BHP, City of Port Hedland, WA
Civic Building Central Foyer / External Large Scale Sculpture Series, City of Rockingham, WA2007
Mindarie Keys Harbour Entrance, Mirvac, WA
Perth Airport, Four Sculpture Commissions, WA2004
Salentine Ridge, POA Design Sculpture Series/Furniture, Clough/Earthcare, Fremantle, WA
Indicator Pole, Shire of Serpentine, WA
Shire of Ballidu Main Street, Ballidu, WA
City of Melville Sculpture Walk, Piney Lakes, WA2001
Margaret River Public Library, Sculpture Commission, WA2000
Burswood Casino, Gaming Floor Steel Balustrade Art Panels, Perth, WA1999
Community Environment and Design Project, Margaret River Skate Park, WA
Margaret River Aquatic Centre, Large Indoor Mural, WA1996
Perth Children’s Arts Festival, Perth, WA
Entry Statement, Riverdale Gardens, Yallingup, WA1995
ARTRAGE Opening Parade Sculpture Centrepiece, Perth, WA1994
Gasworks Series, East Perth Redevelopment Authority, Perth, WA1990
Busselton Foreshore Play Structure Series, Flying Washingmachine, WA
Collections & Awards
Awards
2022
Sculpture by the Sea Andrea Stretton Invitation Memorial Award to exhibit at Bondi, NSW2002
Excellence Award, City of Melville Art Award, WA
Collections
Kerry Stokes Collection
Town of Ballidu
PICA
Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park
Artbank
ABC
ALCOA
Town of Busselton
City of Fremantle
Shire of Margaret River
City of Port Hedland
Woodside
Many private collections in Australia and overseas
230 x 40 x 40cm