Alcoa is proud to offer the Spirit of the Albatross aluminium sculpture to the Portland community to mark the 20 year anniversary of Portland Aluminium in Victoria.
Alcoa Inc Chairman and CEO, Alain Belda presented the sculpture to the Mayor of Glenelg Shire, Councillor Frank Zeigler, reflecting the pride that Alcoa’s global business attaches to the Portland smelting operation.
The gift is a reflection of Portland Aluminium’s commitment to contributing to the Portland community’s sustainable future.
The sculpture reflects Portland’s history as an important maritime centre and the ongoing importance of shipping in Portland Aluminium’s business.
Every year, the MV Portland brings around 700,000 tonnes of alumina from Alcoa’s Western Australia refineries to the Portland smelting operation.
The Spirit of the Albatross is the work of renowned Australian sculptor, Ron Gomboc who travelled from WA to Portland for the presentation.
It was first displayed at the Alcoa-sponsored “Sculpture by the Sea” exhibition in Western Australia earlier this year.
Alcoa is a proud partner of contemporary artistic endeavour because art is an important part of rich and diverse communities and helps to shape our pride in our community and where we live. We are proud to be in Portland and hope this unique sculpture reflects that.
Its unique presence appealed to us then. We hope it appeals to the Portland Community now and into the future.
The Sculpture
Polished aluminium, 3.5 x 5 x 2.1 m,
Purchased by Alcoa February 2005
The Sculptor: Ron Gomboc
Ratimir Marijan Gomboc (better known as Ron) was born in Slovenia in 1947. The eldest of four children, Ron attended school in Croatia before immigrating at the age of 13 with his family to Australia, where he took up an apprenticeship in his father’s wood working business between 1961and 1968. Ron married in 1969, served in the Royal Australian Engineers for three years (receiving a National Service Medal) and in 1980 he purchased a 4.5 hectare property in the Swan Valley where he built his own home, studio and gallery.
The Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, which is managed, curated and funded by Ron and his wife, has been operating for 20 years, holding annual sculpture exhibitions and surveys as well as monthly changing exhibitions throughout the 4.5 hectares of the sculpture park.
His work reflects the human condition and spirit and the meaning of our existence. Relationships and spiritual tolerance is an important message which he wishes to convey through his work.
In Australia Ron went on to study sculpture and printmaking at the Perth Technical College, as well as painting and drawing at Midland Tech with Guy Grey Smith. He has continued over the years to build a successful career as a practicing artist as well as continue the successful operation of his gallery and sculpture park.
His achievements have been recognised and acknowledged through various awards including being the recipient of the Swan Citizen of the Year Award in 1991, the W.A. Week Citizen of the Year Award for his contribution to Arts and Culture in 1993, and The Centenary Medal for “Outstanding commitment to the community in raising the awareness of art”.
Ron has held numerous solo exhibitions in Europe, Asia and Australia and he has completed numerous private and public commissions including two 3.5 metre rearing horses that were commissioned by Brunei in conjunction with artist William E. Rees.
Alain Belda: Chairman & CEO Alcoa Inc
Mr. Belda was President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcoa from May 1999 to January 2001; President and Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to May 1999; Vice Chairman from 1995 to 1997; and Executive Vice President from 1994 to 1995. From 1979 to 1994, he was President of Alcoa Aluminio S.A. in Brazil, Alcoa's Brazilian affiliate
For further information, please contact
Anna Sullivan
Community Relations Officer Portland Aluminium
Tel: 61 3 5521 5463
Mob: 0404 800 193
Email: anna.sullivan@alcoa.com.au
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Celebrating 20 years of Portland Aluminium
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Read more about the Portland Aluminium journey 1986-2006.
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Portland Aluminium will host a series of events in October to celebrate the smelter's 20 year anniversary.
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