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Stephen Glassborow 069

HUBERT
OPPERMAN

ROCHESTER , AUSTRALIA , 2000

PUBLIC

This sculpture of Hubert Opperman is a tribute to one of Australia's most legendary cyclists.

UNITY.

MEDIUM.

BRONZE 

DIMENSIONS.

LIFE SCALE

WHEIGHT.

350KG

DATE.

2000

Stephen Glassborow 070

When creating a sculpture of a famous personality, particularly one who is no longer living.

Without the luxury of taking direct measurements or reference from life, I rely on photographs and my interpretation of the person. The sculpture, in this sense, becomes an abstraction or "cartoon" of the individual—my vision of Hubert Opperman as I see him through the lens of history and photography.

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BUILD TIME.

MODELLING.

10 WEEKS

MOULD TIME.

3 WEEKS

FOUNDRY.

8 WEEKS

As I build the clay model, the figure begins to take on its own personality, still unmistakably Opperman, but evolving into my own artistic version of him. Over time, the sculpture transforms from a mere representation into a unique expression of the cyclist’s spirit and legacy. Through this process, I aim to capture not just his likeness, but the essence of the man—his determination, strength, and the impact he had on Australian cycling. The final piece is a personal interpretation, honoring Opperman’s achievements while allowing room for the art to speak its own language.

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