Bega is unlikely to ever see the council-commissioned public sculpture planned for Littleton Gardens.
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That’s according to the man tasked with fabricating the feature steel artwork “The meeting of two rivers” by Pambula’s Jen Mallinson.
Terry Tisdale runs Ox Engineering Group, a renowned metal fabrication company based in Smithfield, Sydney.
Past projects manufactured by Ox include the Olympic cauldron for the 2000 Sydney Games.
Ms Mallinson contracted Mr Tisdale’s company to manufacture her design selected for installation in Littleton Gardens and for which Bega Valley Shire Council budgeted $30,000 at its May 2015 meeting.
However, work on the sculpture has reportedly been abandoned, a deposit returned to the artist and the matter destined for the courts.
“Bega’s never going to see this sculpture, not without my cooperation,” Mr Tisdale told the Bega District News.
He also claimed significant redesigning of Ms Mallinson’s concept warranted additional payment.
“We have a million-dollar press here and top space-age 3D printing technology which we applied.
“We scanned it, developed it, computerised the shape so we know when it comes out at the factory it is going to be geometrically perfect.
“In real time of labour and materials I reckon it’s cost us $60,000 to $70,000 to make a $30,000 sculpture,” he claimed.
“It’s a stunning piece of artwork – a masterpiece in its own right – but it’s significantly different than what the council tendered out.
“It’s her concept and we’re fine with that. And it’s our job to work with the artist to improve it the best we can.
“But when the rework costs more than building the original item, that’s my own money and this sculpture belongs to me until it’s paid for.”
Ms Mallinson wholly rejected Ms Tisdale’s claims.
“I’m very disappointed in Mr Tisdale’s statements. I have made a claim in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for his complete failure to deliver the sculpture in accordance with our contract,” she said.
“The council has acted completely appropriately and is not involved in this dispute.
“Because the hearing is not until March, unfortunately there is a limit to the comments I can make.”
BVSC general manager Leanne Barnes said the conditions of the council’s contract with Ms Mallinson protect the organisation and ratepayers’ money, and that the council has no responsibility for the artist’s dealings with Mr Tisdale
“We budgeted an amount and offered the commission. We can’t get involved in their own contract dealings,” Ms Barnes said.
“We want them to sort it out and for Littleton Gardens to get a sensational sculpture for the community to enjoy.”
