Joanne Colely: Artist to paint 100 Claremont homes for community exhibition
Joanne Colely is an artist who is painting 100 Claremont houses for free as part of an upcoming exhibition. Andrew Ritchie Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian
Joanne Colely is on a mission to create portraits of 100 homes and locations across Claremont.
It's an idea born from an art lesson where a young girl once asked her how to paint houses.
'I took a photo of a beautiful house in Fremantle and went back to my studio, and I told her how to draw it,' Colely said.
'But I ended up really loving how the demo turned out and I thought 'wouldn't it be great if they go to their letterbox and find their painting?'. So I popped it in their letterbox.
'I never heard anything back, but I did end up posting it on social media, and it got a huge response.'
Her 100 artworks will form an exhibition in August showcasing the rich history of Claremont, in partnership with the Town of Claremont.
'I just appreciate history, and really anything that's just been made with so much love and taken so much pride in their work,' Colely said.
'These homes are still standing and still looking so beautiful, so I just think we need to celebrate those beautiful stories in history.'
The portraits are all small — measuring just 14.8cm x 21cm — but big in story, Colely says.
About 30 locals have jumped on board to cement their home's place on canvas and in history, while the remainder are 'mystery' selections discovered while Colely wandered the streets.
The collection will also include historical shops and sites such as the Claremont Baths at Freshwater Bay.
'I really wasn't expecting so many people to be interested,' Colely said.
'But I think people have really gotten involved because it's a really personal keepsake for them to have.
'They've shared so many wonderful stories with me about their homes and their families who lived in there before them.
'I think all these stories can get lost in time, so I think they're important to keep alive.'
One of the houses she has painted is widely recognised from its inclusion in the 2004 Australian film Thunderstruck.
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The thunderstruck house, as seen in the movie.
Credit: Thunderstruck
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Thunderstruck house that Ms Colely painted.
Credit: Joanne Colely
'This house in particular stuck out to me, because they shared such a big part of its history with me,' she said.
The house was built by the owners' father and grandfather from 1954 to 1958 on what used to be the old Falkirk dairy site.
In their request for a painting, the homeowner said a film production company approached them in 2003 to use the home in Thunderstruck.
'So it became a well known, iconic home in Claremont, where people still ask us 'Is this the house from the movie?',' the owner said.
The house is currently being restored back to the way it was in the movie, as the owner said it was her uncle's dying wish to 'bring it back to the way it was'.
Colely has depicted the home as it looked in the movie — a whimsical red-bricked bungalow lined with a neat garden bed featuring eccentric swan statues.
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Joanne Colely's works, she is an artist who is painting 100 Claremont houses for free as part of an upcoming exhibition. Andrew Ritchie
Credit: Andrew Ritchie
/ The West Australian
With more than 65 pieces crossed off her list and a deadline just weeks away, Colely is also turning attention to an exhibition opening just as exciting as the project itself.
She says there will be a fire dancer, a performance from a Prima ballerina in a light-up tutu and live speed painting using a rose as a brush.
'My opening nights are always something that you want to go to, because they're always super fun,' she said.
'But ultimately, I want the community. And that's what the exhibition is about — bringing local community together to celebrate the history and combined with the now.'
All 100 paintings will be available for purchase for $200 each during the week-long exhibition at The Agency Gallery in Claremont, beginning August 22 at 6pm.
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