Ante Dabro

Ante Dabro (born 13 January 1938, Čavoglave, Croatia) is a Croatian-born Australian artist/sculptor and art teacher who has lived and worked in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory since the late 1960s.

Ante Dabro at work in his studio at Canberra Airport, 2011. Behind (L-R) are the full sized models for "Genesis", "Resilience", the unassembled pieces of "Mother and Child", and his Australian Silky Terrier, Chico.
Royal Australian Navy Memorial, Anzac Parade, Canberra

Dabro's sculptures are typified by angular form; many are nudes and bronzes. His work is said to embody universal themes, "suffering, hope, sexuality, heroism, spirituality" but also silently acknowledge the 'outsider'.[1]

Principal works

A selection of Dabro's works are listed:

  • Susanne (2005), life-sized bronze nude, sits on a wall beside a reflecting pond, BBP.
    Susanne (2005), life-sized bronze nude, sits on a wall beside a reflecting pond, BBP.
  • Dancer (2005), 1.5 life-sized bronze nude, in a reflecting pool, BBP.
    Dancer (2005), 1.5 life-sized bronze nude, in a reflecting pool, BBP.
  • The Bathers (2005), two 1.5 life-sized bronze nudes, in a reflecting pool, BBP.
    The Bathers (2005), two 1.5 life-sized bronze nudes, in a reflecting pool, BBP.
  • Genesis (2008/9); 1.5 life-sized bronze nude, eastern end of BBP.
    Genesis (2008/9); 1.5 life-sized bronze nude, eastern end of BBP.
  • Genesis signature incorporating the face of Chiko (Australian Silky Terrier)
    Genesis signature incorporating the face of Chiko (Australian Silky Terrier)
  • St Matthew, (1984); life-size bronze.
    St Matthew, (1984); life-size bronze.
  • Standing figure, (1981–82); 3/4-to-full life size bronze.
    Standing figure, (1981–82); 3/4-to-full life size bronze.
  • Sisters , (1985), two life-sized bronze nudes, Queensland Art Gallery
    Sisters , (1985), two life-sized bronze nudes, Queensland Art Gallery
  • Bronze statues by Ante Dabro, Qantas gates, Canberra Airport
    Bronze statues by Ante Dabro, Qantas gates, Canberra Airport

Career

Staircase thefts

On the Staircase is a group of four stylised male figures, progressively smaller as they are further up a staircase of diminishing size, all in bronze. The figures are each reading a book. It cost $80,000. After it was again vandalised,[6] in the local media it was attributed to Ante Dabro.[7] Yet, it had been attributed correctly weeks earlier by another outlet to Danish artist, Keld Moseholm[8] Dabro was quoted in local media, as being upset to the vandalism of art, perhaps adding to the confusion among the media. The smallest figure was removed on 8 December 2013, with the act visible on footage from a CCTV camera, with two women shown shortly before the theft. After the publicity, on the following day the figure was handed into a local ACT Police station.

References
  1. Ante Dabro: Croatian born-Australian Sculptor Archived 19 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Dr Peter Read, Australian National University, accessed 29 January 2008
  2. Sculpture on Acton Campus (brochure), Australian National University, accessed 29 January 2008
  3. The Bathers unveiled Archived 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The Hub magazine, Canberra Airport, February 2006, accessed 29 January 2008
  4. Artist in residence Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Brindabella Business Park website, accessed 2009-08-23
  5. Governor General of Australia to open sculpture by world-renowned Artist Ante Dabro Archived 13 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine, media release, 2009-06-02, accessed 2009-08-23
  6. Petrie Plaza sculpture vandalised again, figure stolen, Stephanie Anderson and Ben Westcott, The Canberra Times, 9 December 2013
  7. Stairway sculpture hit again by thieves in Civic, ABC News Online, 9 December 2013
  8. Little guys are back with some big-time protection, Helena Virgo, The Canberra Times, 30 October 2013, accessed 9 December 2013
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