PUBLIC SCULPTURE (existing in Australia and UK)

His public sculpture usually varies between strongly stated realism and abstract symbolic, mostly incorporating figurative identification, always with a philosophical content and often using the bronze medium in innovative structural and mechanised patterns (only possible because of his past engineering knowledge on design and structures and the development of his own foundry). Because of a belief that the challenge of man trying to come to terms with his own nature and the environment is the major crisis of our age, he would like to be known as an environmental or philosophical sculptor. His Hornsby Council commission "Man, Time and the Environment" (8 metres high and 21 tonnes weight) and Warringah Council's sea sculpture commission "Pacific Family" are large environmental examples. The following descriptions cover 16 of the artist's larger bronze public sculptures (obviously not available for purchase) plus many photographs, all sculpted and cast by him in his own foundry prior to 1993 (including the two in UK).

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1. Ku-Ring-Gai Council Bicentennial "FIRST FLEET" sculpture - 1.8 metres diameter and weighing approximately 500 kg. The sculpture features the 'Sirius' in full sail mounted in a 'world' shell sculpted in relief with the story and history of the journey. (Budget-$45,000)
2. Portsmouth. U.K. - Donated by Ku-Ring-Gai and Sydney City Councils. A copy of the above sculpture was given to the City of Portsmouth U.K. (Unveiled 13th May 1991 - Budget $45,000)
3. Warringah Shire Council. The 4 metre 1.5 tonne bronze "environmental" sea sculpture and fountain "PACIFIC FAMILY". (Budget-$100,000)
4. The Hornsby Florence Mall Kinetic Water Sculpture, "MAN, TIME, AND THE ENVIRONMENT", an 8 metre high 21 tonne bronze, glass and stainless steel environmental sculpture incorporating three water clocks of ancient (modified) design and a 17 note carillon, all mounted on a rotating barge. All the mechanisms are water powered. The huge central pendulum clock has the same time cycle as 'Big Ben' and a considerably larger pendulum weight, and keeps accurate time within 1.5 minutes over 2 months. (Budget-$540,000)
5. The "JOSEPH BANKS" Memorial Sculpture commissioned by Botany Council. It is installed in Botany's Joseph Banks Bicentennial Park. (Budget-$50,000)
6. Rockdale "FIRST FLEET ARRIVAL MEMORIAL" Sculpture located on Botany Bay at Sans Souci, a symbolical sail form with historical relief sculpture. The sculpture was sponsored by the NSW Bi-centennial Committee. (Budget-$35,000)
7. A Bicentennial larger-than-life bust and shoulders of "GOVERNOR PHILLIP" located in Pymble War Memorial Park. Commissioned by Ku-Ring-Gai Council.
8. A second copy of 'GOVERNOR PHILLIP' is located on Pacific Highway, Gordon.
9. A third copy of 'GOVERNOR PHILLIP' is located at Governor Phillip Park in Warringah (purchased by Warringah Shire Council).
10. The sculpting and casting of the 2 metre "BIRD ASCENDING" bronze for Botany Cemetery Trust. (Budget $32,000)
11. Sculpting and bronze casting of SYDNEY UNIVERSITY coat-of-arms (approximately 1 metre long and 35 kg. weight). Twelve copies have been cast for the university.
12. The "BATTLE OF WATERLOO" relief commemorating the 1990 visit of the Duke of Wellington, now located in South Sydney Town Hall.
13. The "JESSIE STREET" relief celebrating the naming of the park near Circular Quay of that name. Commissioned by Sydney City Council.
14. A bust (1.5 times life) of "VICE ADMIRAL JOHN HUNTER. R.N.", the second Governor of Australia, commissioned by Mosman Council.
15. A second copy of the Governor Hunter bust was given to the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, by Mosman Council and the Scottish Australia Society.
16. A third copy of the Governor Hunter bust was mounted by the Australia Scottish Society in Scone NSW in the Hunter Valley.
17. A bronze Celtic Cross commissioned by Ku-Ring-Gai Council - 2 metres high and weighing approximately 200 kg. The sculpture is based on an ancient Irish design.

CRITIC'S COMMENT: Read the following quote from art critic and educator Michael Hedger's book 'PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN AUSTRALIA' (1995), "Australia's most recent major fountain ranks as its most unique."...etc..."The fountain is of cast bronze (cast by Cusack at his Sydney foundry), stainless steel and plate glass, and the scale and the extraordinary combinations provide a work of surprising harmony. Cusack's environmental sentiments are readily apparent and the local Council's initiative in commissioning such a work is visionary."