FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Title Details

Tom Bass

Tom Bass was one of Australia's leading sculptors, having created many of the country's most significant public works.
Series : Australian Biography Series 10 | Year : 2005 | Total Duration : 26 Minutes | Producer : Rod Freedman
Director : Rod Freedman |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass with his sculptures in the background talking about mixing up his first bucket of clay.
Access No. 142678 | 1 min 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU tilt up B&W photograph of Tom Bass's father.
Access No. 142681 | 12 secs | 1920s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his unhappy relationship with father.
Access No. 142682 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom out from CU B&W photograph of Tom Bass's father standing in group photograph of men all wearing sashes.
Access No. 142683 | 15 secs | 1920s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his unhappy relationship with his father.
Access No. 142684 | 13 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Tilt up B&W photograph of Tom Bass as a child in costume saluting in three-cornered hat. Zoom in to CU of Bass's mother.
Access No. 142685 | 18 secs | 1920s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his positive relationship with his mother.
Access No. 142687 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
WS B&W school photograph with zoom in to Tom Bass sitting on ground in front row.
Access No. 142688 | 16 secs | 1920s | Gundagai, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the importance of the part of his childhood spent in Gundagai.
Access No. 142689 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
High angle WS of Gundagai main street in B&W photograph showing horses on street and shops.
Access No. 142690 | 12 secs | 1920s | Gundagai, NSW, Australia | © National Library of Australia | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the importance of the part of his childhood spent in Gundagai and deciding he had a future in art.
Access No. 142691 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
GS B&W photograph of the "black doctor", the local Gundagai doctor of West Indian origin, sitting on chair on verandah. Slow zoom into his face.
Access No. 142692 | 18 secs | 1920s | Gundagai, NSW, Australia | © National Library of Australia | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the local Gundagai doctor recognising his talent as an artist.
Access No. 142693 | 16 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Slow zoom out from CU B&W school photograph of Tom Bass's mother to MS of her children standing around her.
Access No. 142694 | 13 secs | 1920s | Gundagai, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the local Gundagai doctor recognising his talent as an artist.
Access No. 142697 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Tom Bass as a boy with his father in their backyard. Tilt up photograph of Bass as a young man in shorts and hat.
Access No. 142698 | 20 secs | 1930s | Gundagai, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his first jobs in Sydney and how he got by.
Access No. 142699 | 51 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Tilt up B&W photograph of Tom Bass walking along street.
Access No. 142700 | 16 secs | 1930s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his attempts to start his career during the Great Depression.
Access No. 142701 | 21 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of Tom Bass with another man both holding an armful of pineapples.
Access No. 142702 | 10 secs | 1930s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
Archival footage of men shearing sheep in shed. CUs man pulling off fleece as he shears sheep and CU man's face. VS fleece being picked up and thrown on table. Voice-over of sculptor Tom Bass talking about his shearing experience.
Access No. 142703 | 22 secs | 1940s | NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his attempts at being a shearer.
Access No. 142704 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of men shearing sheep in shed. VS shearers shearing and collecting fleece. Voice-over of sculptor Tom Bass talking about his shearing experience.
Access No. 142705 | 9 secs | 1940s | NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his attempts at being a shearer.
Access No. 142706 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of shearers throwing fleece onto table in slow-motion.
Access No. 142707 | 6 secs | 1940s | NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his experience of learning to throw the fleece whilst being a shearer.
Access No. 142708 | 18 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photographs of Tom Bass lying on a blanket and CU of him wearing round glasses. Tilt up photograph of Bass walking along street in suit.
Access No. 142709 | 31 secs | 1930s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about how he found an art teacher for himself.
Access No. 142710 | 16 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of artist Dattilo Rubbo with zoom in to his face.
Access No. 142711 | 10 secs | 1930s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Michael Rubbo | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his first real art teacher Datillo Rubbo.
Access No. 142712 | 3 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of artist Dattilo Rubbo plein air drawing.
Access No. 142713 | 6 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Michael Rubbo | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his first real art teacher Datillo Rubbo.
Access No. 142714 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of artist Dattilo Rubbo in old age. CU tilt down to his hands.
Access No. 142715 | 10 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Michael Rubbo | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the artistic lineage of his art teacher Datillo Rubbo.
Access No. 142716 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of artist Dattilo Rubbo on the street in top hat.
Access No. 142717 | 7 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Michael Rubbo | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his first wife Lenore.
Access No. 142718 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of Tom Bass's first wife Lenore.
Access No. 142719 | 9 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his first wife Lenore.
Access No. 142720 | 18 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Tilt up B&W photograph of Tom Bass in army uniform standing with his first wife Lenore. CU Bass's call up papers with pan across information on them.
Access No. 142721 | 27 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about what he did during World War II.
Access No. 142722 | 19 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU B&W photograph of Tom Bass wearing head scarf and zoom out to him drawing with quill and ink. MS tilt up photograph of Bass sculpting life-size figure at the National Art School.
Access No. 142723 | 23 secs | 1930s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his controversial decision never to exhibit his sculptures in art galleries.
Access No. 142724 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
MS B&W photograph of Tom Bass holding sculpture.
Access No. 142725 | 4 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS tilt down B&W photograph of Tom Bass 'P&O' sculpture in situ on street.
Access No. 142726 | 11 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Geoffrey E. Eves | B&W |
CU tilts up B&W photograph of Tom Bass sculpture with owl perched on top.
Access No. 142727 | 11 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his views on sculpture.
Access No. 142728 | 6 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Tom Bass crucifixion sculpture on wire fence. Zoom in to photograph of Bass standing with his family and Catholic priest.
Access No. 142729 | 22 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his conversion to Catholicism.
Access No. 142730 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Pan along B&W photograph of tom Bass crucifixion sculpture and head detail.
Access No. 142731 | 18 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the role of Catholicism in his sculpting.
Access No. 142732 | 13 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Tom Bass sitting in armchair.
Access No. 142733 | 10 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about why he left the Catholic religion.
Access No. 142734 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Tom Bass holing small child in sculpture park surrounded by sculptures "The Tea Drinkers". CUs to sculptures.
Access No. 142735 | 14 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the totem in his work and in concept.
Access No. 142736 | 11 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Bass with friends around totem pole in bush setting.
Access No. 142737 | 14 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Tom Bass in his studio working at large table.
Access No. 142738 | 9 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
B&W footage of Tom Bass sculptures at the University of NSW. Low angle GS of students walking past relief sculpture on wall and tilt then CU of sculpture.
Access No. 142739 | 10 secs | 2000s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © SBS | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the brief for his early major commission of sculpture for the University of NSW.
Access No. 142740 | 18 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
VS B&W photograph of partially built building at the University of NSW where Tom Bass was offered a space for his sculpture.
Access No. 142741 | 14 secs | 1950s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Harold Ainsworth | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about being offered what he considered to be an inadequate space for a sculpture on a partially completed building at the University of NSW.
Access No. 142742 | 15 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
VS B&W photographs of Tom Bass University of NSW sculpture in progress. VS details of dove, falcon, human figure and tilt up finished sculpture.
Access No. 142743 | 31 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the concept behind his sculpture commissioned for the University of NSW.
Access No. 142744 | 17 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Tilt up B&W photograph of Tom Bass University of NSW sculpture in situ.
Access No. 142745 | 14 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
B&W photograph of sculptor Tom Bass standing with Sir Robert Menzies in front of sculpture.
Access No. 142746 | 5 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Tom Bass | Colour |
WS P&O wall fountain with GS of businessman walking past and CU to bronze plaque with Bass's name and date on it.
Access No. 142747 | 15 secs | 2000s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © ABC | Colour |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the controversy behind his 1963 P&O fountain sculpture.
Access No. 142748 | 9 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU water running through P&O wall fountain.
Access No. 142749 | 4 secs | 2000s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © ABC | Colour |
CU B&W cover of Oz magazine with tilt to three boys pictured apparently urinating in Tom Bass P&O fountain sculpture.
Access No. 142750 | 13 secs | 1960s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Martin Sharp | Colour |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about the controversy and reactions to his 1963 P&O fountain sculpture.
Access No. 142751 | 8 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
High angle WS over Civic Square, Canberra. MS Tom Bass unveiling his Ethos statue ready for installation with people watching in background. WS Ethos being lifted by crane, CU face of Bass and man on scaffolding during installation.
Access No. 142752 | 15 secs | 1960s | Canberra, ACT, Australia | © ABC | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking his intentions for the sculpture "Ethos". Tilt down B&W photograph of Ethos in situ.
Access No. 142753 | 19 secs | 2000s | Canberra, ACT, Australia | © NFSA/Tom Bass | Colour |
Zoom out from B&W photograph of young girl looking up at Tom Bass sculpture Ethos to length of statue and buildings in square behind. CU tilt up photograph of sculpture.
Access No. 142754 | 25 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Max Dupain | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his philosophy behind the sculpture "Ethos".
Access No. 142755 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B&W photograph of Tom Bass relief sculpture over the entrance to the National Library of Australia.
Access No. 142756 | 8 secs | 1960s | Canberra, ACT, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
B&W archival footage showing the exterior of the National Library of Australia and fountains in foreground.
Access No. 142757 | 5 secs | 1960s | Canberra, ACT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his commission for the National Library of Australia.
Access No. 142758 | 15 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU archival footage of blueprint of architectural plans for National Library of Australia being placed over plans for sculpture above entrance.
Access No. 142759 | 6 secs | 1960s | Canberra, ACT, Australia | © ABC | Colour |
MS interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his commission for the National Library of Australia.
Access No. 142760 | 4 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of Tom Bass in his study looking through bookshelves shot from outside window looking in. CU Bass flipping through book Encyclopedie Photographique De L'Art at ancient Sumerian seals. ECU cylindrical seal and hand rolling it over paper. GS large trucks delivering Bass's sculpture in various pieces. MS track of Bass walking past sculptures in place at the National Library of Australia studying them.
Access No. 142761 | 41 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Stanley Dalby | Colour |
B&W photograph of Tom Bass working on Coat of Arms sculpture for the Australian Embassy in Washington.
Access No. 142762 | 12 secs | 1960s | Washington, USA | © Max Dupain | B&W |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his personal problems at the time of his commission for a sculptural coat of arms for the Australian Embassy in Washington. Slow zoom in to CU B&W photograph of Bass's face.
Access No. 142763 | 1 min 25 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA/Tom Bass | Colour |
Archival footage of WS Tom Bass walking in countryside with house perched on hill behind him.
Access No. 142764 | 21 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Stanley Dalby | Colour |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about his personal problems at the time of his commission for a sculptural coat of arms for the Australian Embassy in Washington.
Access No. 142765 | 1 min 1 sec | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of WS Tom Bass walking in bush. Tilt to Bass in beret looking into distance.
Access No. 142766 | 11 secs | 1960s | Australia | © Stanley Dalby | Colour |
CU interview with sculptor Tom Bass talking about how he found god.
Access No. 142767 | 7 secs | 2000s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
CU archival B&W footage of Tom Bass and his wife Lenore sitting on deck looking at plans then each heading into their separate studios. MS Lenore painting at table.
Access No. 142768 | 29 secs | 1960s | Australia | © ABC | B&W |
Zoom into B&W photograph of Lenore Bass with baby sitting in her lap at picnic.
Access No. 142769 | 11 secs | 1970s | Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
Zoom in to B&W photograph of Tom Bass working on animal sculpture in his studio with young daughter watching at his side. Zoom in to daughter's face.
Access No. 142770 | 8 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Axel Poignant | B&W |
Zoom into B&W photograph of Tom Bass helping student in his Sydney sculpture school with other students at work around them. GS photographs of Bass with student and her work.
Access No. 142771 | 16 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS B&W photograph of Tom Bass with visiting American painter Melinda Phister in his Sydney studio.
Access No. 142772 | 6 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © ACP Publishing | B&W |
Archival colour footage of students working in his sculpture studio. MS of Bass instructing male student on his figurative work.
Access No. 142773 | 17 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © ABC | Colour |
Colour photograph of Tom Bass sitting around table with students in his sculpture studio.
Access No. 142774 | 5 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about how special his sculpture school in Broadway was.
Access No. 142775 | 2 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Colour photograph of Bass and students sitting in his Broadway studio class. B&W photographs of Bass's only solo gallery exhibition in David Jones with various sculptures on plinths. CU of sculpture "Pre Colombian Mediation".
Access No. 142776 | 28 secs | 1980s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about critical reaction to his sculpture.
Access No. 142777 | 21 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU B&W photograph of Tom Bass's large head sculpture of grieving woman.
Access No. 142778 | 17 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Tom Bass | B&W |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about having his offer of donation of his grieving woman sculpture rejected by the Art Gallery of NSW.
Access No. 142779 | 11 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
MS B&W photograph of Tom Bass wearing headscarf with sculpture in studio. Colour photograph of Bass at 75 with second wife Margo and baby. MS photograph of Bass, Margo and toddler son. MS posing with Margo and son in garden. WS photograph with Bass, Margo and son now older posing in front of London Bridge.
Access No. 142780 | 36 secs | 1990s | Australia; London, UK | © Tom Bass | Colour |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about his conclusion of how to reach a state of happiness.
Access No. 142781 | 10 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Colour photograph of Tom Bass, wife Margo and son beside car in countryside with mountain in background.
Access No. 142782 | 9 secs | 1990s | Australia; London, UK | © Tom Bass | Colour |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about his desire to ensure the continuity of his sculpture school.
Access No. 142783 | 8 secs | 1970s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
B&W photograph of exterior of Tom Bass's sculpture school. Zoom in to B&W portrait photograph of Bass.
Access No. 142784 | 15 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Tom Bass | Colour |
MS interview with Tom Bass talking about his desire to ensure the continuity of his sculpture school and the teaching of sculpture.
Access No. 142785 | 19 secs | 2000s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
B&W photograph of Tom Bass standing on his sculpture for the National Library of Australia with sky above him. Closing credits over shots of his sculpture featuring 'St Paul', 'St Ignatius', 'The Student', and Marco Bass sitting on sculpture 'Genie' reading (see Comments for copyright).
Access No. 142786 | 40 secs | 1960s | Washington, USA | © Various | B&W |