Giovanni Fontana was a Late colonial era Italian/English sculptor, who worked in Sydney during the 1870s to 1890s.. He born was born in Italy and was a naturalized British subject by 1871. His works included the statue of Robert Graves MP for Liverpool, for St. George’s Hall. Giovanni Fontana exhibited in London, from 1852 to 1886, notably at the Royal Academy, Suffolk Street and the New Water-Colour Society. Fontana received an Hon. Mention for his work in 1888/1889. sculptor, had two marble statues exhibited by J. Markby in the New South Wales Court at the 1888-89 Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne: ‘The Sister’s Charge’ and ‘King Lear’. ‘G. Fontana of Italy received an Hon. Mention for his ‘Collection of marble statuary’ Fontana’s busts of Mayor and Mrs Riley signed ‘Giovanni Fontana’ are in Sydney Town Hall; Riley was mayor in 1888.