Pilbara shire places gag order on Collie Dam mural artist Guido van Helten as Onslow contract torn up

The feud between the Shire of Ashburton and disgruntled artist Guido van Helten has escalated, with the council trying to place a gag order on the artist while terminating his contract for a public art project. At last week’s meeting, councillors endorsed a confidential item to terminate the contract between van Helten and the Shire of Ashburton for the Onslow water tank mural. As part of the motion, van Helten is required to make no further claims against the Shire of Ashburton. It also means the termination of the contract will release the Shire from further payments to the artist. Shire of Ashburton president Kerry White said the item closed out the previous contract for the project. “Council is pleased to be continuing the Onslow Water Tanks Mural Project and have appointed Perth-based art consultancy Element to facilitate the project,” she said. The Shire of Ashburton did not respond by time of print to questions about the motion. The long-awaited project was thrown into disarray in May when van Helten walked away in the wake of disagreements over its design. Van Helten, who spent seven weeks in Onslow while he came up with his design, accused the Shire of rejecting his design because it was “too Indigenous” — a claim the Shire denies. Councillors voted at their June meeting to continue with the project and establish an artwork selection working group to help deliver the project. Expressions of interest were called for the working group last month. “Earlier this month we called for expressions of interest from the Onslow community to form an art selection working group as part of the project,” Cr White said. “Shortlisting of the nominations has taken place, with the members of the group to be informed next week.” Cr White said the working group would meet in early September and begin preparing the artist expression of interest and brief. “This group will be instrumental in ensuring the selected artwork represents the interests of Onslow’s local community, residents, businesses and successful nominees,” she said. Van Helten was contacted for comment.