A GREAT SCULPTOR

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 155, 27 March 1926, Page 22

A GREAT SCULPTOR

VIEWS ON LIFE AND VISIONS OF THE FUTURE.

“A man in khaki pictured or sculptured, is not a man. 'The act of one n.an killing another is a. thing that should not b« commemorated.. There is no gam in a wretched statue.” “Sydney —an enormous city with tremendous progress, but behind it the biggest and emptiest backyard in the world.”

“The East is coining into its own; what you- are uow is nothing to what you will be in 100 years’ time. AV hen tho West is dormant, this will bo the progressive part of tho world.” Sir Bertram Alacktnnal, sculptor and Australian, the man who made the cast of the King’s head on the com of the realm, spoke thus on his arrival in Sydney. , . . , , , , it was at the civic welcome tendered bv tho Lord. Mayor at the Town Hall. The reception room was thronged with people prominent in all branches of the social life of -tho community. Sir Bertram Alackeimal was described by Alderman Stokes as being one of tho great world sculptors. He was proud, therefore, to welcome back an Australian who had achieved fame abroad, and was pleased to see such a representative gathering present to greet him. . ~ “Sir Bertram,” the Lord Mayor added, “is an ambassador fqr Australia. He gives this country a better advertisement than many officials who are highly paid for the task.” . “I had hoped to come by sea, but pressure of time forced me to use the back gate,” remarked tho guest. “On Sunday I looked down on the harbour, a vision of exquisite forms and colours. I have never seen anything more beautiful in. my life. 4t,'l a ® a moonlight night, and a scene which Whistler might have painted, . “You have in your midst a very big painter—Mr, George Lambert,” ho continued. “It is your beautiful harbour, no doubt, which has captured him. “The biggest and emptiest backyard in the world lies behind you;- a great heritage to hand down.” Statues, particularly those . which servo as war memorials, came in for a particular criticism from Sir Bertram Mackennal, who expressed the opinion that any man with good taste wou pass them by. ... “When you want to honour a„ citizen, don’t merely order a statue, was his advice.. “Symbolise linn in something beautiful —falling wider, beautiful forms, colour. There is no gam in a wretched statue.**