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Online Exhibition - Bert Flugelman

 

The Bert Flugelman Wry ARTificer exhibition was on display in the UOW Library Panizzi Gallery, from 5 November 2018 to 31 March 2019. This exhibition moved beyond the monumental public works that Bert was arguably best known for, to explore his multi-faceted character and constant evolution as an artist.

 

 

Introductory Panel

 

 

UOW Library Exhibitions Coordinator, Phillippa Webb, curated the exhibition by conducting extensive research of publications and historical accounts as well as interviewing many of Bert's past colleagues, collaborators and students. She also worked closely with the Bert Flugelman Estate, primarily Bert's daughter Kay, to deliver substantial collective insight into Bert's artistic mind.


 

Gallery Walls

 
Double Spiral


Bert Flugelman, Double Spiral

2008, copper on marble base

Image courtesy Kay Flugelman

Photograph: Bernie Fischer

self portrait

Bert Flugelman, Self Portrait

1961, oil on board

Image courtesy Kay Flugelman

London from Australia House


Bert Flugelman, London from Australia House

1952, watercolour on paper

Image courtesy Kay Flugelman

Trafalgar Square London


Bert Flugelman, Trafalgar Square London

1952, watercolour on paper

Image courtesy Kay Flugelman

Perspective Studies


Bert Flugelman, Perspective Studies

1948, pencil on paper

produced while studying at National Art School, Sydney

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Bridges, New Jersey


Bert Flugelman, Bridges, New Jersey

1955, oil on canvas

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman 2013

Interior


Bert Flugelman, Interior

1958, ink, gouache and watercolour on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman 2013

Bert Portrait


Photographer unknown, Bert portrait

c1972, black and white photograph
unknown photographer

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

On inconsistency
Style and influence
On inconsistency
Wry definition
Artificer definition
 
Drawing for Equestrian


Bert Flugelman, Drawing for Equestrian

1966/67, felt tip pen on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Study for Equestrian


Bert Flugelman, Study for Equestrian

1967, felt tip pen and pencil on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Equestrian II


Bert Flugelman, Equestrian II

1967, photograph of cast bronze sculpture
in situ in Bert’s backyard, 2004

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Figure


Bert Flugelman, Figure

1968, image of cast bronze sculpture
in situ in Oyster Bay residence, c. 1968

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Drawings for Figure


Bert Flugelman, Drawings for Figure

1968, felt tip pen and pencil on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Drawings for Figure


Bert Flugelman, Drawings for Figure

1968, felt tip pen on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Drawings for Figure


Bert Flugelman, Drawings for Figure

1968, watercolour, felt tip pen and pencil on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Black Box Poster


Bert Flugelman, Black Box Poster

1969, acrylic screenprint on plastic

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

State Library NSW

Images from Black Box


Bert Flugelman, Images from Black Box

1969, Images from installation, in his studio, Oyster Bay, Sydney

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Black Box Poster


Bert Flugelman, Black Box Experience

Sunday Telegraph Review

1969

State Library NSW

Entropic Matrix


Bert Flugelman, Entropic Matrix

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Optronic Kinetics


Bert Flugelman, Optronic Kinetics

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

West wall quote 1
West wall quote 2
West wall quote 3
West wall quote 4
Optronic Kinetics
Optronic Kinetics
 
Bedside Manners,Summer of 67


Bert Flugelman, Bedside Manners,Summer of 67

1991, lithograph with acrylic on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: Bernie Fischer

Device for Executions


Bert Flugelman, Device for Executions

1967, ink, felt tip pen, and Letraset lettering
on lithographic paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: Bernie Fischer

Kneeling


Bert Flugelman, Kneeling

1967, acrylic paint on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: Bernie Fischer

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Portrait of the Artist


Bert Flugelman, Portrait of the Artist

1991, screenprint on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: Bernie Fischer

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Summer of ’67, On the other hand


Bert Flugelman, Summer of ’67,
On the other hand

1991, etching on paper

Image courtesy of Kay Flugelman

Summer of ’67, Starfish


Bert Flugelman, Summer of ’67, Starfish

1991, etching on paper

Image courtesy of Kay Flugelman

The Icarus Syndrome


Bert Flugelman, The Icarus Syndrome

1999, mixed media on wood

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Art Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2014

North wall quote 1
North wall quote 1
lady pots


Bert Flugelman, Burning Euphonium

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

 
Ammonite and VR


Ammonite and VR

Images and information about VR display of Bert Flugelman's
Ammonite sculpture

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Spiral and Wave


Bert Flugelman, Spiral and Wave

1977, photograph of stainless steel sculpture in situ
with female model for Mildura Sculpture Triennial 1978

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Spiral and Wave


Bert Flugelman, Spiral and Wave

1977, photograph of stainless steel sculpture wrapped in situ
with female model for Mildura Sculpture Triennial 1978

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Untitled, welded copper fountain, or 'The Egg beaters'


Bert Flugelman, Untitled, welded copper
fountain, or 'The Egg beaters'

1966/67, copper, mosaic tile, light and water,
in situ outside Bruce Hall, Australian
National University, Canberra

Commissioned in 1966 , ANU Art Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Tetrahedra


Bert Flugelman, Tetrahedra

1974, stainless steel sculpture,
in situ Festival Centre Plaza, Adelaide, 2008

Commissioned in 1973 by the City of Adelaide
Council for Adelaide Festival Centre Plaza

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,

Photographer: David Perry

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

The Spheres, or 'Malls Balls'


Bert Flugelman, The Spheres, or 'Malls Balls'

1977, stainless steel sculpture, in situ Rundle Street Mall,
Adelaide, 2007

Commissioned by the Hindmarsh Building Society and
donated to the City of Adelaide to mark its centenary in 1977

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Dobell Memorial Sculpture


Bert Flugelman, Dobell Memorial Sculpture

1979, photograph of stainless steel sculpture
in situ in original location in Martin Place, Sydney, 1979

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Dobell Memorial Sculpture


Bert Flugelman, Dobell Memorial Sculpture

1979, photograph of stainless steel sculpture
in situ in current location, Spring Street, Sydney.

Relocated from Martin Place in 1999

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,

Photographer: David Perry

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Knot


Bert Flugelman, Knot

1975, stainless steel, in situ outside
the Art Gallery of South Australia

Commissioned by the Adelaide City Council in 1974
for the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA)

Sculpture was relocated in 2003 to Light Square, Adelaide

AGSA Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Lawrence Hargrave Memorial, or 'Winged Figure'


Bert Flugelman, Lawrence Hargrave Memorial,
or 'Winged Figure'

1988/89, stainless steel sculpture
in situ University of Wollongong, 2008

Commissioned in 1988 by the Friends of UOW
to celebrate the Bicentenary of colonial settlement

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: David Perry

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Bert with Lawrence Hargrave Memorial under construction


Bert Flugelman with his stainless steel sculpture
Lawrence Hargrave Memorial or “Winged Figure”
under construction, maquette in background,
1987 under construction

Commissioned in 1988 by the Friends of UOW to celebrate the
Bicentenary of colonial settlement

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Cones


Bert Flugelman, Cones

1982, stainless steel sculpture, in situ
National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden, 2008

NGA Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: David Perry

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Installation of Lawrence Hargrave Memorial


Bert Flugelman, Lawrence Hargrave Memorial,
or 'Winged Figure'

1988/89, stainless steel, installation of sculpture in 1989

Commissioned in 1988 by the Friends of UOW
to celebrate the Bicentenary of colonial settlement

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Installation of Lawrence Hargrave Memorial


Bert Flugelman, watching the placement of
Lawrence Hargrave Memorial or “Winged Figure”

1989, University of Wollongong

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Gateway to Mount Keira or 'Wave'


Bert Flugelman, Gateway to Mount Keira
or 'Wave'

1985, stainless steel sculpture, in original location,
UOW Wollongong campus

UOW Art Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Tetrapus


Bert Flugelman, Tetrapus

2005, stainless steel sculpture, in situ for
Sculpture By the Sea, Sydney, 2007

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: David Perry

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Making Waves


Bert Flugelman, Making Waves

1997, stainless steel sculpture, in current location
Storm Bay, Kiama

Kiama Council Art Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Caryatid Minotaur


Bert Flugelman, Caryatid Minotaur

2004/05, stainless steel sculpture,
in situ Bert’s garden, Bowral, 2005

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer: unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Gateway to Mount Keira or 'Wave'


Bert Flugelman, Gateway to Mount Keira
or 'Wave'

1985, stainless steel sculpture, in situ,
current location, UOW Wollongong campus, 2018

UOW Art Collection

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate,
Photographer: Phillippa Webb

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection

Sketch for Lady Pot


Bert Flugelman, Sketch for Lady Pot

1991
felt tip pen, pencil, and charcoal on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Sketches for Tattooed Lady


Bert Flugelman, Sketches for Tattooed Lady

c. 1974, felt tip pen on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Sketches for Tattooed Lady


Bert Flugelman, Sketches for Tattooed Lady

c. 1974, felt tip pen on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Interior with Pam. Eli and Lady Pot


Bert Flugelman, Interior with Pam, Eli
and Lady Pot

1975, pencil on paper

Image courtesy Flugelman Estate

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection,
donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

Lady Pot


Bert Flugelman, Lady Pot

1993, terracotta

Image courtesy Kay Flugelman

East wall quote 1
East wall quote 2
East wall quote 3
East wall quote A
East wall quote B
East wall quote C
lady pots


Bert Flugelman, Lady Pots

Images courtesy Flugelman Estate, Photographer unknown

UOW Archives D283 Flugelman Collection, donated by Kay Flugelman, 2013

 

South Wall
West Wall
North Wall
East Wall

 

 

Wry ARTificer featured many items from UOW Archives, the UOW Art Collection and private collections to demonstrate the variety and scope of Bert's artistic practice. Included were early paintings and sketches from the 1950s and 1960s, examples of Bert's maquettes, and the ceramic works in Double Spiral (2008), Lady Pot (1993), alongside examples of his exploration in performance art, installations and Earthworks.

 


Donald Brook Essay

 

The exhibition was officially opened on Saturday 10 November by Federal Court Judge, The Hon Justice John Edward Griffiths, and artist Ken Orchard, both long-time friends of Bert and his family.

 

 

Videos and documents

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Bert Flugelman, Earthwork, 1975

 

Six aluminium tetrahedrons were buried in an unmarked spot in Commonwealth Park as part of the Commonwealth Gardens Sculpture Exhibition, Canberra, 1975

 

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Bert Flugelman, Black Box, 1969

 

Photographs from Black Box: A social hedonistic environment installation, Oyster Bay

 

 

View the digitised Bert Flugelman collection on Archives Online or the UOW Art Collection Flugelman Highlights

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Portrait of Friendship, 2018

 

Guy Warren talks about the evolution of his 1985 Archibald winning portrait of Bert Flugelman

 

 
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Bert Flugelman, by David Smith, 2009

 

Filmed by Optronic Kinetics member David Smith, while visiting Bert in Jamberoo 2009

 

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Bert Flugelman Curriculum Vitae

 

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Optronic Kinetics

 

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Bert Flugelman - Friends and Colleagues, 2018

 

Speakers include Guy Warren, Julie Ewington, Sam Bienstock, Frank Littler, Dick Taylor, John Montelone, Greg Eager, Les Blakebrough, and David Smith.

 

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