Tom Bass was one of Australia's leading sculptors, having created many of the country's most significant public works. His commissions included pieces for the National Library, Canberra's Civic Square and numerous churches and universities. However, none of his sculptures are in art gallery collections. His philosophy is that the sculptor is the seer or spokesperson for the community, whose role is to create "public totems". His own life and work have had a deep spiritual dimension. And, after establishing his own sculpture school in the 1970s, he was still passionately teaching at the age of 88.

(2006, 26 mins) A Film Australia National Interest Program.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.