Sculpture / Art Rocks, David Jensz. At Grainger Gallery, Fyshwick, until May 3. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

Artworks rarely come as distinctive as the creations of David Jensz. In this exhibition, he transforms rocks into metaphors with a context that sits between design and profound artistic statement.

Jensz is one of the most distinguished graduates of the old Canberra School of Art and also taught sculpture and drawing at the ANU. There’s a large work of his titled Fractal Weave standing outside the Canberra Theatre. But in this exhibition at Grainger Gallery in Fyshwick, his 29 art rocks on display, seem to grow out of and around the rocks he uses.

There’s a life-like quality to all, but what sort of life is it? Earthly, alien or imaginary? With a robust strength exhibited in all, the weight of their value is keenly felt as you walk around them. They could be weapons, icons of power or playful elaborations of an extended life-form.

All but one have a one word description. He is looking to grab on to or express a specific feeling, idea or concept; and he does that, in every single object.

If the rock is the starting point, how does his finished idea come about? There’s a variety of materials used, steel, copper, lead, galvanised sheeting, and all blend into or out of the rocks to create an image of the natural world or a philosophical idea.

The works are spread out over two levels for logistical reasons more than artistic. The thing that immediately grabs attention is the quality of the finish on all. Even if some of the materials are recycled or used, they are all created with the eye and hand of a highly skilled artist that is capable of expression that I’m sure most artists wish they had.

Each is a small world on their own. They all stand apart from one another as artistic statements, which is something rarely seen in today’s overly commercial art world.

Interestingly, the rocks are not at the base of each design. Some are in the centre and the top, which shows that gravity and weight are only part of their story. But perhaps, to get a better view of each they might have been hung on wires, then a full all around view would be possible, but the weight of each would more than likely restrict that from happening.

It’s refreshing to see an exhibition of such unique artistic depth today, when so much of the contemporary art world is full of academic stuff that holds minimal appeal outside its context. These art rocks hold a place of their own and they do it with solid appeal.