Vale - Tom Bass
Tom Bass' connection to Campbelltown began when he lived at Minto in the 1940's with his wife Lenore. Here he commenced his artistic career blossomed. One of his earliest projects was to produce a series of plaques which our Society has used to mark heritage sites in the district.
Tom Bass' commissions can be found in almost every state in Australia, as well as in Washington DC. One of his most famous sculptures is that of Ethos in Civic Square, Canberra. His sculpture of Elizabeth Campbell Macquarie in Mawson Park, Campbelltown was unveiled on 5th August 2006.
In recognition of his contribution to the Arts, Tom Bass received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sydney early in 2009.
Of his sculpture of Elizabeth, Tom said ' This sculpture will be what I call a totem expressing the things that were conferred on this place when Macquarie called it Campbell Town. It means that when the sculpture is put in its place people will gather round it to look at it and they will be reminded of her qualities of refinement, her love of flowers ... and her feminine capacity for nurturing ... As her spirit pervades this place the community will begin to take on her special qualities. She will be the spirit of Campbelltown.
We will always remember Tom Bass as we see Elizabeth in her place.
Stella Vernon. |
|
|
