A sculpture inspired by Bridgewater’s famous fog is nearing the end of a major restoration and could soon find a new home beneath the new Bridgewater Bridge.
Created by artist Tony Woodward, ‘Jerry’ depicts the Bridgewater Jerry fog as a human figure embracing the township.
The Rockefeller family commissioned the sculpture for Green Point Plaza and it was installed outside the old Bridgewater Library in 2007.
But years of weather damage and repeated vandalism took their toll, with its mosaic tiles gradually deteriorating.
Brighton Council moved Jerry to its works depot for safekeeping in November 2021, with plans to restore it and find a more prominent home.
The late artist’s sister, Margaret Woodward, has carried out the restoration, which is now almost finished.
“I’m happy to report Jerry is pretty much done,” she said.
“There are only his legs and feet left to finish, with just one or two more visits needed to complete the grouting and polishing.”
Artisan Curtis Hore has repaired the bronze sections through Dobsons, while lettering on a marble plinth is also being completed.
Building Tasmania, formerly the Department of State Growth, now wants to install Jerry in a landscaped sculpture area on the riverbank beneath the new bridge.
It would sit beside a large sculpture already commissioned for the site.
The department became involved in 2023 after seeing a council social media post about Jerry’s removal and identifying a link with heritage interpretation work for the bridge project.
Council documents show the department would cover the installation and landscaping costs, leaving the council responsible only for transporting Jerry to the site.
“We’re hoping to get both done by the end of the year,” the department said.
Council staff have recommended approving the location, although they warned limited passive surveillance could leave the sculpture vulnerable to further vandalism.
Brighton Council will vote on the proposal on Tuesday.
