Middle Swan sculptor aims to tell story at Sculpture by the Sea

THERE’S far more to Middle Swan sculptor Ron Gomboc’s work than meets the eye.

Each of his sculptures has a story to tell just like his latest piece for the Cottesloe Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in March.

The story behind Mr Gomboc’s submission piece, The Elder, is about the importance the older generation and their advice has on young people and the life decisions they make.

He said the two-piece sculpture made out of marine grade reflective brushed aluminium was designed to represent an elder figure and someone from the younger generation.

“The elder can be both male or female and from any sort of background,” the first Australian member of the Cottesloe Decade Club said.

“Mythical stories of the elder go way back to ancient Greece however the indigenous people probably had the strongest affiliation on a younger generation with listening to the elder’s advice with respect.

“The younger generation want to try things for themselves and often ignore the life experience of the elder who want to guide the young to not fall into the pitfalls they had to learn from the hard way.”

Mr Gomboc, who has exhibited 18 sculptures at Bondi Sculpture by the Sea, said he could relate his experience as a father to the tale behind his work.

“When my son started to walk I told him not to touch the pot belly stove many times,” he said.

“But it wasn’t until he touched it that he knew what I meant.

“He didn’t listen and only learnt until he did it himself.”

The sculptor, with more than 40 years’ experience, said he hoped visitors to Cottesloe took away the message he was trying to portray.

“It reminds people that it is important to learn things for yourself,” he said.

“But also sometimes you need to listen to the elders because they want to pass on those survival skills on to the younger generation.”

Mr Gomboc studied at Claremont School of Art from 1971 and now exhibits his work at his personal gallery, Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park.

Cottesloe Sculpture by the Sea runs from March 2-19.

MORE: Off-duty police lend hand after alleged drunk driver crashes in Mundijong

MORE: Helena College moves to ban mobile phones during school day

MORE: Fire up with Perth’s best locally made hot sauces