Michael Jones
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Michael was born in Macclesfield, England, in January 1956 and emigrated to Australia with his family at the age of 12, he attended high school in NSW until 1971, he wanted to pursue an art career and worked in the printing industry for 12 months, but his father had “better ideas” and Michael started working with his father in the building industry where he stayed until 1984.
Michael joined the NSW Police Service in January 1985 and performed in many and varied positions. It was his stint as the District Community Relations Officer, in the Broken Hill District during 1988/89, where he met Pro Hart for the first time. This meeting had a profound effect on his life, Pro was his landlord, but the Hart family became more than that, Pro’s wife, Raylee, took on a motherly role and Pro was his mentor, during many evenings spent in the Hart studio’s, Michael was being encouraged to continue painting and exhibiting in Pro’s commercial gallery space, “The Ant Hill Gallery” as a result of this encouragement by Pro, Michaels paintings were getting recognized more and more.
At the end of 1989, Michael returned to Sydney’s west and in 1992 he became a Police Prosecutor and traveled extensively within the Police District and eventually back to his beloved Broken Hill, where he would arrive on a Saturday, for the start of the following working week, getting picked up from the airport by a fellow artist, great friend, Clark Barratt, then driving about 50 kilometres out of town and paint for the rest of the day, half the night and all day Sunday.
It was an accident during a high speed pursuit, early in 1992, which eventually ended his Police career in 1998, being pensioned off with a couple of herniated discs in the neck, after an operation, many months of physio’ and a battle with depression, he started painting again and moved back to Broken Hill.
Michael lived in Broken Hill for three years, gathered enough reference material to last a lifetime, then opened his own gallery in Tasmania, where he lived until 2003, he re-married and is now residing in Maroochydore, Queensland, but still paints the outback images he loves.
Michael’s paintings have found their way into many art collections around the world, Rolf Harris has two of Michael’s paintings, Pro Hart has got at least three, the ex NSW Premier, John Fahey has his portrait painted by Michael, as does Pro’s wife, Raylee, which he did for her 60th birthday. Other politicians in NSW have purchased Michael’s work, Peta Seaton, the member for the Southern Highlands has got one work on paper, as does Wal Murray, once Deputy Premier of NSW. Michael’s work has gone to America, Japan, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Bali, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Greece. In Australia, Michael’s work can be found at the 'Tree Frog Gallery', Montville. 'Art on Argent', Broken Hill. "Gallery Beneath", Mooloolaba. "Horizon Gallery", Silverton
ARTIST'S REASON FOR PARTICIPATING
I love painting and have never had the opportunity to paint Orang-utan before, also I was nominated to participate by my good friend, Peter Browne and it is a good cause.
DESI
​
From Steel Cage to Forest Freedom
Rescued on March 2, 2012, from a steel cage outside a home in Pemangkat, Melano, Desi's story is a powerful reminder of what rehabilitation can achieve. At just 4–5 years old, this young female orangutan had already endured over two years of captivity, kept in a cramped 2m² cage and fed mostly rice, chicken, and other human food. Purchased from a palm oil worker, she was clearly distressed and filthy when our team arrived—but her spirit remained intact.
Desi was taken to International Animal Rescue’s Orangutan Conservation Centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, where she underwent medical checks, quarantine, and slowly began adjusting to her new life. Though shy and nervous at first, she quickly showed signs of good health, with her beautiful long hair and strong appetite giving us hope for her future.
Over the next four years, Desi thrived at the Centre’s forest school in Sungai Awan, learning essential survival skills—climbing, foraging, nest building, and gaining independence. She was later moved to a soft-release area with other orangutans also preparing for life in the wild.
​
On November 23, 2016, Desi and her companion Johnny were released into the rainforest. Their return to freedom marked a huge success for the team, and a triumph for Desi, who had come so far from that tiny steel cage.
Desi’s story was supported by IAR’s adoption program, which funds food, enrichment, forest school, and medical care for orangutans like her. Now living wild in the Bornean rainforest, Desi represents hope, resilience, and the profound impact of conservation efforts.
UCIL
​
The Great Escape Artist with a Gentle Soul
Ucil’s rescue was anything but easy. When our team first attempted to save him from illegal captivity, they were met with aggression and threats of violence. Only with the support of the Forestry Department (BKSDA) were we finally able to bring him to safety.
Initially placed with the older babies in the back transit area of our Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Ketapang, Ucil struggled to adjust. Signs of depression began to surface, and our team quickly realised he needed a change. Once moved to the younger group in baby school, his personality began to shine. There, Ucil found a better fit—bonding with his peers and showing his playful side in friendly scuffles with Jack and Bandut.
A gentle spirit at heart, Ucil also earned a reputation as a crafty little explorer, constantly searching for weak spots in the fencing and keeping babysitters on their toes. His intelligence and determination made it clear he needed extra enrichment and mental challenges to keep him stimulated.
Now, Ucil has graduated back to the older baby group and is thriving in Forest School. With more friends to play with and more forest skills to master, he’s channeling his curiosity into climbing, foraging, and preparing for life in the wild. His escape antics may have slowed, but his bright spirit remains as strong as ever.
