Tom Bass
Encyclopedia
Thomas Dwyer Bass AM
, (6 June 1916 - 26 February 2010) was a renowned Australia
n sculptor. Born in Lithgow, New South Wales
on 6 June 1916, he studied at the Dattilo Rubbo Art School and the National Art School and established the Tom Bass Sculpture School in Sydney
in 1974. In 1988 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to sculpture. In 2009 he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Visual Arts (honoris causa) at the University of Sydney.
A retrospective of his work, spanning 60 years, was exhibited at the Sydney Opera House
between 9 November and 17 December 2006.
, Richard Walsh
and Martin Sharp
were charged, tried and sentenced to jail with hard labour for "obscenity and encouraging public urination"., although the defendants subsequently appealed against the sentences, which were revoked.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, (6 June 1916 - 26 February 2010) was a renowned Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n sculptor. Born in Lithgow, New South Wales
Lithgow, New South Wales
Lithgow is a city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and is the centre of the local political division City of Lithgow. It is located in a mountain valley named Lithgow's Valley by John Oxley in honour of William Lithgow, the first Auditor-General of New South Wales.Lithgow is...
on 6 June 1916, he studied at the Dattilo Rubbo Art School and the National Art School and established the Tom Bass Sculpture School in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1974. In 1988 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to sculpture. In 2009 he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Visual Arts (honoris causa) at the University of Sydney.
A retrospective of his work, spanning 60 years, was exhibited at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
between 9 November and 17 December 2006.
Totem Maker
After graduating from the National Art School Tom Bass developed his philosophy of working as a sculptor as being the maker of totemic forms and emblems, that is, work expressing ideas of particular significance to communities or to society at large. Examples of his work include The Trial of Socrates and The Idea of a University at Wilson Hall, Melbourne University; The falconer on Main Building at UNSW, representing the conflict between beauty and the intellect; The winged figure of Ethos in Civic Square, Canberra, representing the spirit of the community and the Lintel Sculpture at the National Library, Canberra, representing the idea of Library. Over a twenty-five year period this remained virtually the single focus of his work as he became the most sought after public sculptor in Australia. He is represented all over Australia and also overseas.Contribution to Art in Australia
Whilst engaged with his public sculptures Tom Bass remained largely on the periphery of the evolving art scene in post world war II Australia. His contribution to art often went unacknowledged as the focus for artists evolved around the ever growing gallery and art market scene. Art as commodity was never Bass's reason for making sculpture. During the 50's and 60's Bass "..was the only Australian sculptor who understood the importance of bringing art to the widest possible audience. ...With every major commission Bass aimed to push the boundaries of public taste, giving his audience a lesson in the visual language of modernism."P & O Wall Fountain
Bass's P & O Wall Fountain caused considerable controversy when it was completed in 1963. The sixth edition of Oz magazine (1964) published a renowned satirical photograph which showed the fountain apparently being used as a urinal, with a caption which read "Pictured is a trio of Sydney natives P. & O.'ing in the Bass urinal." For this and other supposed offences the editors of the magazine, Richard NevilleRichard Neville
Richard Neville may refer to:*Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick , known as 'Warwick the Kingmaker', English noble, fought in the Wars of the Roses...
, Richard Walsh
Richard Walsh
Richard Walsh was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Teachta Dála for the Mayo South constituency at the September 1927 general election...
and Martin Sharp
Martin Sharp
Martin Sharp is an Australian artist, underground cartoonist, songwriter and film-maker. Sharp has made contributions to Australian and international culture since the early 60s, and is hailed as Australia's foremost pop artist...
were charged, tried and sentenced to jail with hard labour for "obscenity and encouraging public urination"., although the defendants subsequently appealed against the sentences, which were revoked.
Selected works
- The Student, sandstone, main gates, University of SydneyUniversity of SydneyThe University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, 1953. - The falconer, electrolytic copper, Main Building, University of New South Wales, 1955. UNSW Art Collection Sculpture Walk
- Fountain figure, electrolytic copper, Chancellor's Court, University of New South Wales, 1959.
- The Idea of a University, reconstituted stone, The University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, 1954-59. - The Trial of Socrates, copper, The University of Melbourne, 1954-59.
- EthosEthosEthos is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence its hearer's emotions, behaviors, and even morals. Early Greek stories of...
, copper, Civic Square, CanberraCanberraCanberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, 1959-61. - AMP Emblem, copper, AMP building, SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, 1962 - Children's Tree, bronze, CML building, Elizabeth St, MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, 1963. - P&O wall fountain, copper, P&O building, Hunter St, SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, 1963. - Lintel sculpture, copper bas-relief, National Library of AustraliaNational Library of AustraliaThe National Library of Australia is the largest reference library of Australia, responsible under the terms of the National Library Act for "maintaining and developing a national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection of library material relating to Australia and the...
, CanberraCanberraCanberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, 1967-1968. - The Genii, bronze, Queen Victoria Gardens, MelbourneQueen Victoria Gardens, MelbourneThe Queen Victoria Gardens are Melbourne's memorial to Queen Victoria. Located on 4.8 hectares opposite the Victorian Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria, bounded by St Kilda Road, Alexandra Avenue and Linlithgow Avenue....
, 1973.