Jon Eiseman – The Flagman’s Welcome

Medium: cast iron

Date of installation: 2006, restored 2026

Artist's Statement
‘The Flagman's Welcome represents a symbolic greeting for the two merging communities that have now come together.  He faces the entrance to the bridge to the opposite side of the creek and is waving a semaphore message to invite all those who pass by to come across the bridge to explore the pathways and meet the new community.  The figure is cast bronze is treated with ferric nitrate and potassium polysulphide that gives the sculpture a rich deep brown patination.  It is placed upon a cylindrical steel base that spirals down to a singular seat. The curves in the base represent the winding and twisting of the creek in that area.  It is hoped that the sculpture will become a landmark and meeting place for people relaxing and walking in the area.’ – Jon Eiseman, 2005

In 2026, following the discovery that the artwork was vandalised, the sculpture was recast in durable iron, rather than bronze. The process involved Eiseman carefully reconstructing the main figurative piece as a small-scale maquette in his studio, before scanning, enlarging, and sand-casting by multiple specialists, finally being hand-patinated by the artist to achieve a similar aesthetic to the original artwork. 

‘It is my hope that the new sculpture will continue to be a beacon for the residents on both sides of the creek as they pass over the footbridge.’ – Jon Eiseman, 2026

Artist Biography
Jon began working in bronze while doing his fine arts degree at Monash University in the 1990’s. He then worked in the Sculpture Department at Monash as the sculpture technician from 1999 until 2012. Since then, he has continued working in bronze at his studios in Stanley, Tasmania, and in Melbourne, Victoria. 

For more information about Eiseman’s work, visit: https://www.wharfroadstudios.com/