Bert Flugelman
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Bert McEwen Flugelman (1923-) is a prominent Australian visual artist that has had many of his works publicly displayed. He is known for his stainless steel geometric sculptures.
[edit] Biography
Flugelman was born in Vienna, Austria on July 11th 1923. He is of Jewish descent. He migrated to Australia when he was 15 years old in 1938, on the eve of World War II. Flugelman trained in National Art School, East Sydney Technical College, Sydney from 1947 to 1950. In 1951, Flugelman contract polio which left him partially crippled. From 1951 to 1955, he travelled overseas. Flugelman then taught at a number of educational institutions. From 1961 to 1972, Flugelman taught at Gymea, Kogarah and East Sydney Technical Colleges in Sydney; from 1968 to 1972, as a tutor in charge of Fine Arts Workshop and Studio at the University of Sydney. From 1973 to 1983, Flugelman was a lecturer at the South Australian School of Art, Adelaide College of the Arts and Education and was Head of Sculpture. He was also during this time a lecturer at City Art Institute, Sydney. From 1984 to 1990, Flugelman was Senior Lecturer and Fellow at School of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong. In 1991 Flugelman was made Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong and was Artist-in-Residence, School of Arts, University of South Australia. Flugelman achieved In 1995, he received Doctorate of Creative Art (Honoris Causa) and in 1997, he received Australia Council, Visual Arts/Craft Fund Emeritus Award. Flugelman's career has not been without controversy such as when he created the chainsaw carving of Margaret Thatcher and "The Silver Shish Kebab" placed in Martin Place, Sydney which was heavily criticised by Sydney's Lord Mayor Frank Sartor that led to the sculpture moved to Spring Street.
Flugelman has also received a significant of awards and has permanent displays around Australia. He has permanent displays at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Brisbane Commonwealth Law Courts Building, University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia (Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery) and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
He currently lives on the South Coast of New South Wales.
[edit] List of Works
Flugelman has a number of commissioned public works that are displayed around Australia:
1962 High Relief Sand Panels cast in Concrete, A.O.R. Kurnell, New South Wales;
1964 Cast Bronze Sculpture, University of New South Wales;
1966 Welded Copper and Mosaic Fountain, Australian National University, Canberra;
1973 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Festival Hall, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide;
1977 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Rundle Mall, Adelaide (popularly known as the "Mall's Balls");
1977/1982 Stainless steel Cones, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra;
1978 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Martin Place, Sydney ("The Silver Shish Kebab");
1978/1979 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Belconnen, Canberra;
1985 Stainless Steel Sculpture, University of Wollongong;
1985 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Penrith Regional Gallery;
1988 Stainless Steel Sculpture, Winged Figure (Lawrence Hargrave Memorial) University of Wollongong;
1988 Three Sculptures, Melbourne Hotel Development;
1995/1996 Stainless Steel, Granite, Bronze, Sandstone Sculpture, Private Collection;
