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Karl Duldig Ceramic Mural - Adam & Eve

Location Munipical Offices, Cnr Hawthorn and Glen Eira Roads,, CAULFIELD SOUTH VIC 3162 - Property No B6465 File Number B6465 Level Local

[1/1] B6465 Adam & Eve

Statement of Significance

Karl Duldig's ceramic relief, "Adam and Eve" is significant at a local level.
With his ceramic bas reliefs, Karl Duldig was amongst the first sculptors in Australia to visualise and develop the links between architecture and incorporated art.
Duldig's ceramic reliefs intend and attain an important technical and historical bridge between the appreciation and use of two and three dimensional art in society. Duldig's mural reliefs can almost be read as three dimensional paintings, and at the time of their execution, served to break down the barriers of the public appreciation of sculpture in Australia, as opposed to the then more recognised art form of painting.
The reliefs illustrate a highly developed skill and individuality in their construction and use of terracotta clay, and were a natural progression from his works in clay and ceramics after World War 11 in Australia. Thematically this work refers to and as also informed by the artist's European background and this specific biblical subject first appears in an early European carving ("Adam and Eve", 1912).
Recognition of Karl Duldig as a sculptor and ceramic artist is acknowledged in his representation in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, and the National Gallery of Victoria, Caulfield Permanent Art Collection also holds other significant works by the artist.
After the destruction of Duldig's relief, "Progress of Man", 1960, at 505 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, in 1991, this relief is one of only three to which the public has access in Melbourne.
Classified: 20/10/1993