The Warrior
Number : 4
Artist : Tom Deko
Material : Steel
Year Created : 1998
Special Note : Purchased by Walcha Council
Artist's Location : Papua New Guinea
Type : Sculpture
Size : 2.4 x 2.0 x 3.3m
Extra_info :
1998 Blackfellows Gully Workshop was sponsored by local sculptor/artist, Stephen King who hosted these artists on his property 'Blackfellows Gully' in the lead up to the 1998 'Sculpture by the Sea'.
SHORT STORY (ref: Stephen King Sculpture) Two sculptors, Tom Deko from Goroka in Papua New Guinea and Emmanuel Watt from Vanuatu, had been invited by Sculpture by the Sea to Australia to be two of the first international sculptors to participate in this enormously popular event. Stephen King, also a sculptor, had invited Tom and Emmanuel to come to Walcha to see the Australian bush and to take part in a sculpture workshop to be held over three days in the environs of Stephen's workshed.
THE SCULPTURE:
At 'Blackfellows Gully', Tom decided to make a huge warrior, over four metres in height and width, using some sheet metal that had once lined an in-ground swimming pool. It was so ambitious a project that on departure day Tom reluctantly had to leave Steve instructions for its completion.
THE ARTIST:
Tom Deko comes from remote PNG. He was visiting Australia to exhibit in 'Sculpture by the Sea - 1998' and was hosted by Stephen King on his property near Walcha where a subsequent sculpture workshop was held.
SHORT BIO: (ref: British Museum) Born in Bena, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tom Deko was taught by Gickmai Kundun and sculptor Benny More at the National Arts School in Port Moresby, 1989-1992, and quickly become one of the leading younger artists of the time. Deko specialises in figure sculpture, creating single figures and group scenes. He uses welded sheet metal, rods, wire, old car parts. His work addresses social change, and themes include family, tribal fighting, Christianity, and the impact of Afro-American music on the younger generation in Papua New Guinea. Participated in the 1996 Asia Pacific Triennial at the Queensland Art Gallery, where he completed an entire 'scrap metal band'.
1998 Blackfellows Gully Workshop was sponsored by local sculptor/artist, Stephen King who hosted these artists on his property 'Blackfellows Gully' in the lead up to the 1998 'Sculpture by the Sea'.
SHORT STORY (ref: Stephen King Sculpture) Two sculptors, Tom Deko from Goroka in Papua New Guinea and Emmanuel Watt from Vanuatu, had been invited by Sculpture by the Sea to Australia to be two of the first international sculptors to participate in this enormously popular event. Stephen King, also a sculptor, had invited Tom and Emmanuel to come to Walcha to see the Australian bush and to take part in a sculpture workshop to be held over three days in the environs of Stephen's workshed.
THE SCULPTURE:
At 'Blackfellows Gully', Tom decided to make a huge warrior, over four metres in height and width, using some sheet metal that had once lined an in-ground swimming pool. It was so ambitious a project that on departure day Tom reluctantly had to leave Steve instructions for its completion.
THE ARTIST:
Tom Deko comes from remote PNG. He was visiting Australia to exhibit in 'Sculpture by the Sea - 1998' and was hosted by Stephen King on his property near Walcha where a subsequent sculpture workshop was held.
SHORT BIO: (ref: British Museum) Born in Bena, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Tom Deko was taught by Gickmai Kundun and sculptor Benny More at the National Arts School in Port Moresby, 1989-1992, and quickly become one of the leading younger artists of the time. Deko specialises in figure sculpture, creating single figures and group scenes. He uses welded sheet metal, rods, wire, old car parts. His work addresses social change, and themes include family, tribal fighting, Christianity, and the impact of Afro-American music on the younger generation in Papua New Guinea. Participated in the 1996 Asia Pacific Triennial at the Queensland Art Gallery, where he completed an entire 'scrap metal band'.
This steel sculpture is a rendering of traditional New Guinean imagery.
Made in Walcha and purchased by Walcha Council