ABOUT THE ARTIST Re COMPETENCY FOR MAKING PUBLIC ART
Col Henry lists his main qualification as a ‘Long, Diverse, Life Experience’
He has taught Sculpture in his Studio at Wyong Creek, NSW, for over 25 years.
The Artist has many Art and Education related Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates including 1st place - Sculpture. Other Certificates include Industrial Management, Welding and Industrial Foundry, and Panelbeating / Spray Painting Trade Certificates. He has a vast and diverse experience, including Property Development, Management, Full time TAFE teacher for 24 years, Safety Officer, and Artist.
He is collected in Australia and overseas.
Col Henry has a long history and diverse talents and skills, allowing him to create his works without restraint. He has a large workshop and studio on the Central Coast where he has facilities to make many types and styles of sculpture, including an on site foundry, and all equipment required to fabricate and finish high quality stainless steel works, etc.
It should be noted that the artist is known as an innovator, not an imitator, and has developed many unique methods to allow his diverse and interesting work to grow and mature over 40 years. He has had many commissions and exhibitions that show a diverse and size variant body of work.
Col Henrys attributes allow him to be a very useful addition to any team. Including –
· Ability to develop artistic concepts based on research and community consultations
· Ability to work within a budget and timeline
· Knowledge of health and safety issues related to design and construction of artworks for public spaces
· Experience in project management
· Experience conducting community consultations
CAPACITY TO MANAGE MAJOR PROJECTS
His sculptures often reflect his vast and diverse Industrial experience including a long history with construction. He has also developed several subdivisions during his ‘Other’ working life with budgets up to $1.5 mil.
The Artist recently completed two Major Public Works at a sea side park in the CBD of Wollongong, for Wollongong Council, and a major work for National Parks in a new National Park near Baradine, NSW, requiring installation in the same 3 week period. The works were installed some 700 km apart, and went ahead without problems due to the Artists commercial experience and character. These projects also required the Artist to hold discussion and negotiations with local communities, and especially with the local Aboriginal Groups to gain input and insight, allowing the work to develop a strong ‘Site Specific’ nature and quality.
ARTISTS’ ASSET AND FACILITIES
Col Henry is financially secure, willing, capable and available to accept a project of significant size and complexity. He is highly skilled in all aspects of Commercial and Artistic installation and always has a hands on approach to his projects. Low overheads and an excellent relationship with many Professional Services allow implementation and shared responsibility to comply with major public project requirements.
He will not hesitate to employ Professionals, Contractors and Labourers if required, due to short timelines and heavy fabrication requirements, with ability to chose, and encourage any team to work within Design Standardsat a high level of achievement.
His main workshop / studio is housed on a 20 Ha property close to Wyong on the Central Coast of NSW, giving easy access to all suppliers and sub contractors and professional Services. This large workshop, gives the Artist the capability of making high quality, large components in steel and stainless steel, bronze, in the onsite foundry, stone and pre fabricated concrete components, royal species Australian hardwoods, fibre glass and plastics, etc, with a large undercover storage area.
He is fully equipped to handle large and complicated works, with frontend loader/backhoe, bobcat, large tipping truck and trailers, gantry and materials handling equipment, scaffolding, TIG, MIG, MMA, plasma cutting equipment, foundry facilities, engineering equipment, including lathe, press etc.
SOME REFERENCES
Date 22 June 2009 Our Ref CC&LS:SB:km
Reference for Col Henry
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing in support of Col Henry in my capacity as Community Cultural Development Officer in Cultural Services, at Wollongong Council.
Wollongong City Council’s vision is to be a community focused local government authority of excellence. Our mission is to enhance our community's lifestyle and environment through effective leadership, community involvement and commitment to service.
Council’s Community and Cultural Services Division plays an important role in developing cultural opportunities and promoting culture in all its forms. Wollongong City Council believes culture is a vital part of Wollongong’s future as the City of Innovation.
In my role as Community Cultural Development Officer in Cultural Services specialising in delivering public art projects for the City of Wollongong. I have had the opportunity of meeting and working with many artists. Artists require a number of complex skills and talents, especially in the area of public art. Finding all these necessary talents in one individual is challenging indeed and Col Henry is one of these rare artists.
Council only feels confident in putting forward artists who are able to fulfil all the aspects required for complex art projects. A significant artistic outcome is obviously a high priority but this is really only part of the story. Wollongong City Council has a rigorous approval process for public art and involves complex industry compliant processes and procedures to ensure quality and sustainable outcomes are achieved for public art for the City.
Cultural Services professional relationship with Col Henry began in 2008 when he was the successful applicant for the Osborne Park ‘Sea Stories Sculpture’. The panel was impressed with Col’s extensive portfolio, studio practice and his professional attitude.
Col Henry is a reliable and immensely creative and talented individual who has shown excellent skills in the area of project management and coordination and an ability to communicate effectively with a range of diverse people.
In working with council, Col Henry has proven that he is at the top of his field. We feel utterly confident in his abilities and fully recommend Col Henry for any public art project within local government and businesses and commercial context.
Col Henry artistic contribution has been of great benefit to the City of Wollongong and I fully recommend him to you.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact me on 0242514711.
Yours faithfully
Sue Bessell
Community Cultural Development Officer
Wollongong City Council
Direct Line: (02) 42514711 6th July 2009
REF: SW/CORR/SW244 DATE 22. 06.2011
To Whom it may concern
RE: REFERENCE COL HENRY
It gives me great pleasure to provide a letter of support to Col Henry. Col is an insightful and extremely talented artist, who demonstrated a professional approach to all aspects of the entry, deliverables and installation process to exhibit in the Swell Sculpture Festival 2008. Col’s sculpture, Life Saver, Life Saver received rave reviews from the public and media plus he has attracted sales and commissions as a result of his participation in the Swell Sculpture Festival 2008.
Col’s diverse use of mediums and extensive knowledge of design, planning, methodology and commitment to sculpture is extremely commendable from an organiser’s perspective. Col’s sculptures are unique in character, demonstrating diversity and originality.
During Col’s engagement with the exhibition, we found him to be professional when dealing with all processes of public art, including his entry and installation. When interviewed by the media (radio, television and newspaper) Col was intent to engage in interesting facts and discussion about his art.
Col’s professional attitude and approach gave ease to his installation due to planning, philosophy and understanding of contemporary thinking and practice.
I wish Col well with his future artistic endeavours and look forward to working with him again soon.
