Artist's Residence, Hovea

Statement of Significance

the former 'Linton' Residence has high aesthetic, historic and social sognificance for it's association with prominent State artist and silversmith James WR Linton.

Physical Description

The former 'Linton' residence is a wide, low timber weatherboard bungalow with full width veranda across the front (north). The end walls are a combination of weatherboard, asbestos cement sheeting and half timbering. Over the years the house has been extended to the west but in a sympathetic manner using similar materials and form. The interiors were not inspected by the consultants. The original Arts & Crafts influenced house was once said to have contained fittings and furniture designed by or for Linton, although, with the exception of the front door, it is thought that none of these now remain. The house is set in pleasant garden and bush surroundings alongside the Jane Brook creating an environment that greatly influenced Linton's work and featured strongly in many of his paintings. There are several outbuildings forward of the house at one side; care needs to be taken that these do not start to dominate the setting and the house which is partially screened from the road by vegetation.

History

Painter, craftsman and teacher James Walter Robert Linton arrived in Western Australia from England in 1896. After about two years in the Eastern Goldfields, and following a bout of typhoid fever, he returned to Perth. Despite an initial period of lean times, he went on to establish his own Art School in 1901, and to teach at Perth Technical College from 1902 to 1931. He is said by his biographer Anne Gray, to have had "the greatest influence of any one person in the applied and decorative arts in W.A.".
With the support of his father, Sir James, he provided advice and assistance in obtaining works of art for the fledgling Western Australian Museum and Art Gallery. In addition to his formal training in art and architecture, he was a self-taught wood worker and silversmith. His work is well represented in major public and private collections including the Australian National Gallery in Canberra and the Holmes a Court collection.
Linton purchased his Parkerville property in 1921, and with family and friends, used an existing galvanised iron shed (now on Lot 2, 89 Falls Rd) as a studio & weekend retreat. Vines and fruit trees were planted on the already cleared block. Over subsequent years, he captured the surrounding landscape in watercolour, pencil and oil. From 1938, until his death in August 1947, Linton lived at Parkerville with his former student Betsey Currie. His house was described as a single storey jarrah weatherboard cottage with verandahs. In the "Arts & Crafts Movement" tradition, he made many of the interior fittings, including furniture, curtains and cutlery. In the 1980, the house was substantially altered, with the construction of six rooms, a full-length veranda on the south side, new windows and major interior modifications. In 1987, a veranda was added to three-quarters of the north elevation. With the exception of the front door, none of the original fittings or furniture remain.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Modifications: Some extensions and modifications.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.