In an unprecedented weather event, the number of works in sculpture by the sea were destroyed by huge seas at Tamarama and South Bondi. One of the sculptures closest to the seashore was Fair Dinkum Offshore Processing by Melbourne sculptor Bronek Kozka was washed away and ruined. When told about it in Melbourne Mr Kozka was understandably upset. His distress was not only due to the loss of his work, but also the loss of the sculpture’s message – the ill-treatment of refugees.
Mr Kozka stated that, ‘It was made in response to successive governments who have decided to ill treat some of the most vulnerable people on the planet…Their treatment has been shameful.
‘Ny sculpture is a structure cold and austere, cruel and utilitarian. It is made from galvanised steel, aluminum and razor wire…and its most important feature, no gate. Five figures stand rusting (corten steel) behind the fence.’
Mr Kozka is a lecturer at RMIT’s School Of Art in Melbourne.
SCULPTURE BY THE SEA runs until November 6.
All images by Ben Apfelbaum (c)
