Kerrin McEvoy’s incredible career will soon be immortalised on the foreshore of Streaky Bay with a life-size sculpture of the three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey to be unveiled in a ceremony on Sunday.
The sculptor behind the bronze creation is none-other than Ken Martin who’s created iconic pieces including Makybe Diva which stands proudly at Port Lincoln; as well as Darren Lehmann, Jason Gillespie, Barrie Robran, and Ken Farmer, who are all on display at Adelaide Oval.
The McEvoy sculpture has been almost three years in the making. Martin and his latest subject first met back in May, 2019.
“The first thing that struck me about Kerrin was his focus,” said Martin who also started to watch his races closely to get to know Kerrin’s character.
“He is a very focused man, on his profession, and whatever he is doing his focus is quite incredible and it just came through in his character.
“We took 250 photographs that first day and spoke about what he would like to see, and I put forward my thoughts and then I came home and produced a drawing. That was the first step. The drawing was then presented to the Streaky Bay community for their assessment and also Kerrin’s.”
Early on there was a great deal of discussion about the composition, and Kerrin did manage to squeeze in a visit to Ken’s Port Lincoln studio with his sister Renee when he was back in Streaky Bay to help with fundraising.
“I’m very grateful to Kerrin for allowing me to have contact whenever I needed it too. That personal contact that was very helpful,” said Ken.
“The hardest part was getting everything absolutely right – it goes without saying, and I think it applies to this sculpture as much as any I have ever done in my career.
“Working towards the true likeness and just the finer details Kerrin is quite fastidious I think, in all aspects of life probably. So we went through all of his attire, from his boots to helmet and goggles and the saddle, and we went through everything together.
“To settle on the composition actually took some time because originally he felt he was quite a serious kind of fellow, but then he changed his mind later and said smiling would be good.
“To wear the helmet, then not to wear the helmet, then wear the helmet. There were a few changes in attire as well but we got there in the end.”
Unlike Ken’s sculptures on display at Adelaide Oval, Kerrin will be immortalised in sepia tones as a tribute to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and the head of Godolphin, who Kerrin credits with playing a huge part in his career.
“It’s more usual to see sculptures in one colour, but I do like the idea of the contrast and in this case it will help to tell the story,” said Ken.
“Kerrin did like the idea of the Sheikh Mohammed colours and choosing those because that was a pivotal point in his career working with Sheikh Mohammed. And so in order to do that, and at the same time considering how they would hold up outdoors, we decided to choose the colours that we have.”
The life-size sculpture will face due South with its back to the sea and stand directly across the road from the Streaky Bay Hotel.
“It’s a beautiful spot because as you look across towards the sea he’ll be just on the horizon.
“It’s a popular spot in town near the jetty and hotel, and tourists come through that area – it’s a little hub of the town,” he said.
Kerrin and his entire family including wife Cathy and children Charlie, Jake, Rhys and Eva will be at the unveiling this Sunday, March 27, at 2pm the day after the Streaky Bay Cup.
