A PLAN to bring an internationally acclaimed Portuguese street artist to the Swan Valley to create a government-funded sculpture trail has drawn sharp backlash from some of the region’s most established artists.

The WA Government has committed $2.2 million to a sculpture trail featuring the work of Artur Bordalo, known internationally as Bordalo II, to be delivered through arts organisation FORM.

Mr Bordalo visited the Swan Valley to explore a range of locations for the project as reported in World renowned sculptor explores the Swan Valley.

A government spokesperson said it was hoped the project would have the same impact as the Giants of Mandurah, which drew significant visitor numbers to the Peel region, adding there was a strong community tie-in with local artists, businesses and fabricators engaged to assist in the build and installation.

However, Swan Valley sculptor and arts identity Antonio Battistessa, whose studio in the valley spanned 50 years of work with recycled materials, said he and fellow artists were effectively presented with a fait accompli rather than consulted as partners.

“This was not a dialogue, this was a one-way announcement,” he said.

“FORM came to me with an olive branch after they’ve made all the decisions, after they’ve made a contract.

“We were told we were consulted but the chats I had with FORM weren’t anything formal, and then the big decisions were made without us.

“The artists of the valley were not prioritised when the valley has what it takes to make recycled art here and we can work in any medium you name.

“You don’t come to us once you’ve made the contract.”

The state government spokesperson disputed that characterisation, with a spokesperson saying FORM had held multiple individual stakeholder engagement sessions with Swan Valley community members.

“During his recent visit, acclaimed artist Artur Bordalo (Bordalo II) met with Swan Valley Elders, as well as long-standing local Aboriginal tourism operator Dale Tillbrook and other key community members to during his visit to Western Australia to discuss the work,” they said.

“The WA Government will continue to work with the region’s artists to deliver opportunities for skill sharing, knowledge transfer, and artistic participation throughout the project and ahead of its launch.

“There is a strong community tie-in with this project, with local artists, businesses and fabricators all being engaged to assist in the build and installation of these sculptures.

“This includes opportunities to contribute to associated activations and programming, and engagement through complementary commissions and creative initiatives linked to the trail.”

Mr Battistessa, who said he was a founding member of the Swan Valley Tourist Alliance, said the valley’s artists consisted of internationally exhibited sculptors, potters and Aboriginal cultural practitioners who represented a depth of creative heritage the project failed to recognise.

“We are tourism, and we built the original visitor centre with our money,” he said.

“Tourism is service and providing an unforgettable experience that makes everyone feel special, and you have to invest in the place and its people.

“I want to make it clear that it’s not about me alone, it’s about the Swan Valley community and making sure that we have the voice to tell our story and with our hands.”

Swan Valley sculptor Ron Gomboc, who with his wife Terrie operated one of the valley’s longest-standing sculpture galleries, wrote to Echo News to express similar concerns.

“We find it very disrespectful to local sculptors who are the fabric of local heritage and have been totally ignored, despite the fact they have been full-time sculptors, in some cases, for decades,” the Gombocs wrote.

“They did not deserve to be overlooked.”

The government said opportunities also existed for local artists to contribute to associated activations, programming and complementary commissions linked to the trail, with the spokesperson describing it as a destination-driving attraction that would boost Swan Valley businesses and jobs.

Mr Battistessa said his preference was a straightforward proper, formal meeting with all stakeholders at the table before decisions were locked in, but felt things had progressed past that point.

“Any person wanting to come and be part of us and work in collaboration can be from anywhere in the world, but invite them to do a masterclass with us,” he said.

“Come and see recycling, 50 years of recycling, and let’s share and trade perspectives.

“At least put the Swan Valley’s voice and decision-making first if you want to represent us.”