From the Archive: “P&O” Sculpture

Today from the archive we bring you Tom Bass’ “P&O” sculpture which he was commissioned in 1962 by shipping company P&O to create a sculpture for their building at 55 Hunter Street, Sydney. Originally commissioned to be carved into the granite façade of the P&O building, Tom Bass’ more affordable solution was to fabricate his wall fountain sculpture in copper and then have it installed.

It was installed in 1963 and the building was opened by the Prime Minister at the time Sir Robert Menzies.

As award winning sculptor and architect @richardgoodwin1 noted in his 2013 Tom Bass Memorial Address, “the P&O Wall Fountain ‘bit’ into the Hunter Street building, making it one of Australia’s greatest public sculptures.” When Richard was a young artist, the wall fountain inspired him in his own practice.

The sculpture became much talked about soon after its installation when editors of OZ magazine published on the cover of its magazine a photograph of the fountain serving as a urinal.

Editor Richard Neville and his colleagues were charged with obscenity and put on trial. Tom Bass was called for the defence and had pleasure in commenting that he thought it witty and a “fair comment.”

This historic sculpture, is currently in storage due to the expansion of the Sydney metro and the demolition of the P&O building.

Tom’s wife Margo Hoekstra, TBSSS Board members and members of the Bass family are working to make sure that this important sculpture is installed in a new position in the city once building work is complete. We’ll be sure to share the new location, when we know more!