Arthur ‘Nobby’ Clark’s iconic Denizens of the Deep will be returned to his family for public exhibition at Splitters Farm.
The artwork has been awarded to Ashley and Carly Clark as representatives of the Clark family following a formal Council tender.
A new home was sought for the carvings after Bundaberg Regional Council’s Bargara Service Centre was repurposed. The tender criteria included ensuring public access in a climate-controlled area.
The artwork is expected to be exhibited in 2022 after a specially built display area is constructed.
A professional curator will be consulted to develop a permanent interactive exhibit, which will also tell more about the life and history of Arthur Clark.
A video will form part of the exhibition showing Arthur working on Denizens of the Deep and explaining the history of the piece and its significance to the region.
Arthur’s grandson Ashley Clark, who is also the owner of Splitters Farm, said the family was thrilled to take ownership of the artwork and keep it accessible to the public.
“It means so much, not just to our family, but to the region,” Ashley said.
“Grandad was a proud Bundaberg resident.
“As kids we always remember going around there and seeing him working away on pieces and the Denizens of the Deep took him years to make.”
He said the display would be housed in a custom-built facility on Splitters Farm and the family hoped to feature more of Arthur’s work there.
“Grandad couldn’t store the sheer number of pieces he created and a lot of it was gifted to different organisations,” Ashley said.
“We’re reaching out to the public … what we would love is for the pieces to be gifted to the family if possible so they can be included in the eventual display.
“The idea that we’ve got is that it really does need a custom-built display space which we’re committed, with the family, to building at Splitters Farm so that people can walk through and see it in its entirety.
“It staying together as one big artwork is the beauty of it.
“We would love to combine the artwork in a building where we can also display farm relics and antiques down the track as well.”
Some good news for a change.
A fantastic outcome.
Great stuff enjoy them family ,very precious items
We have always suggested to visitors that they go and see these incredible works, and will continue to do so.
A good outcome, especially for the family.
However, as they were formerly held by Burnett Council, and so were taken over by Bundaberg Council in the forced amalgamation; it is sad that they have not been put or kept on display as a free PUBLIC artwork by Bundy Council. They are indeed beautiful works of art which it was a pleasure to view on every visit to the former Burnett Council Offices at Bargara.