Gerry McMahon is an Adelaide based artist whose practice has evolved from the skills he acquired from his previous occupation as a sheet metal tradesman. He has always appreciated the characteristics of metal, particularly its versatility and durability, but as an artist he is able to experiment, explore the boundaries and manipulate metal in a more creative fashion than ever before. Many of his works are playful, capturing the imagination and evoking a whimsical, joyful sentiment.
He is driven to create positive, engaging and uplifting works that communicate to their audience and enrich their environment. Gerry’s practice is divided into three major areas: commissioned works, exhibitions and workshops. While enjoy the freedom of exhibiting, it is in the realm of public art that Gerry gains the greatest satisfaction, allowing his works to be seen by a larger audience and sharing his vision with the whole community; public pieces created within community based workshops reinforce this concept even further.
Academic Qualifications
2003 Certificate in Small Business Management
Mission Australia, Adelaide SA
2001 Bachelor of Visual Arts
Roma Mitchell Arts Education Centre, Adelaide SA
1998 - 2000 Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts (Sculpture Major)
North Adelaide School of Art, North Adelaide SA
1984 - 1988 Sheet Metal Trade Certificate 1st class
Regency Park TAFE, Regency Park SA
Employment
2006 Workshop Facilitator
Marion Council, Marion SA
ARTSsmart Workshop Facilitator
Various Educational Facilities, SA
2004 - 2006 Artist in Residence
Thebarton Senior College, Torrensville SA
Curator
The Zoo Art Walk Exhibition, The Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide SA
2003 Gallery Supervisor
SSABSA Art Show, Adelaide SA
2002 Art Project Manager (sub contracting)
Assistant Curator
Helpmann Academy, Adelaide SA
1999 Welding Tutor
North Adelaide School of Art, North Adelaide SA
1984 - 1996 Sheet Metal Worker
PK Kitchens (stainless steel kitchens)
New Celtainers (transport and shipping containers)
James Contract Supplies (stainless steel wine tanks)
Brighton Steel (general metal fabrication)
Commissioned Works
2007 (current) Vietnam Veterans Awareness Program Art Project
Commissioned by Salisbury Council, Salisbury SA
2006 Dress and Pig-seats Sculptures, Perry Barr Farm
Commissioned by Marion Council, Sturt SA
Global Celebration Sculpture
Commissioned by Thebarton Senior College, Torrensville SA
Hand Flag Sculpture
Commissioned by Kaurna Plains Primary School, Elizabeth SA
Serpent Sculpture
Commissioned by Christies Beach High School, Christies Downs SA
Faces
Commissioned by Davoren Park Kindergarten, Davoren Park SA
2005 Bus-stop 10 Prospect Road
Commissioned by Prospect Council, Prospect SA
In collaboration with Architect Bohdan Dorniak
Pathway edging, Dukes Highway Rest Area
Commissioned by Department of Transport and Urban Planning, Adelaide SA
Dancing Girls Sculpture
Commissioned by Charles Sturt Council, Woodville SA
2004 Mapleton Grove Entrance Sculpture, Kilburn South Redevelopment Project
Commissioned by SA Housing Trust, Salisbury SA
2002 Ipswich Railway Museum Sculpture
Project management for artist Brad Nunn, Ipswich Qld
Church Sculpture
Commissioned by Saint Cyprians Church, North Adelaide SA
Church Sculpture
Commissioned by Saint Andrew’s Church, Walkerville SA
American Beach Sculpture
Sculpture manufacture for artist Deb Sleeman, Kangaroo Island SA
Bike Sculpture, Broadview Bike Track
Commissioned by Prospect Council, Prospect SA
2001 Outdoor Theatre Sculpture
Commissioned by Australian Centenary of Federation Commission, Adelaide SA
In collaboration with artist Andrew Stock
Balustrade
Commissioned by Taylor Cullity Lethlean Landscape Architects, Adelaide SA
2000 Christmas Tree Sculpture
Commissioned by The Old Lion Hotel, North Adelaide SA
1999 BBQ Tree Click! New Years Eve Millennium Event
Commissioned by Adelaide City Council, 255
Adelaide SA
1998 Various sculptures for Flama Flama
Commissioned byThe Adelaide Festival, Adelaide SA
Exhibitions
2006 Palmer Sculpture Landscape Biennale, Palmer SA (BMGART) Adelaide Fringe
Sculpturing Norwood, Art Images Gallery, Norwood SA
Canvas in Concert, Westminster School, Marion SA
The Zoo Art Walk, Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide SA, Adelaide Fringe
Mission Australia Exhibition, Adelaide Central Gallery, Norwood SA
2005 Time, South Australia Museum, Adelaide SA
Side by side, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth SA
2004 The Zoo Art Walk, Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide SA, Adelaide Fringe
ANIMETAL, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth SA (Solo Exhibition)
Background, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth SA
Premier Art Supplies Gallery Exhibition, Adelaide SA
Canvas in Concert, Westminster School, Marion SA
Sculpturing Norwood, Art Images Gallery, Norwood SA
2003 Bronze Works, Seas Gallery, Adelaide SA SALA Festival
Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize Finalist
South Australia Museum, Adelaide SA
2002 The DYO Show, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth SA
2001 Garden Sculptures, Adelaide Central Gallery, Norwood SA
Switch On, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide SA
Metalworks, Noarlunga Community Art Centre, Port Noarlunga SA
Helpmann Academy (Graduate Exhibition), Adelaide SA
2000 au.com.federation, Prospect Gallery, Nailsworth SA
36.8oC, North Adelaide School of Art Gallery, North Adelaide SA
Out of the Box, The Box Factory, Adelaide SA
Awash, Renaissance Arcade, Adelaide SA
St Dominic’s Art Exhibition, North Adelaide SA
1999 Emerge, Noarlunga Community Art Centre, Port Noarlunga SA
1998 SSABSA Exhibition, North Adelaide School of Art, North Adelaide SA
1996 Limatulus, University of Adelaide, Thebarton Annexe, Thebarton SA
