Simon Kessel was born in the Ukraine in 1941. In 1945 his family was in refugee camps in Germany and he arrived in Australia in
1950. At the age of 45 he studied fine arts at Monash University, having previously painted for many years. At Monash he majored in sculpture and is currently completing his Masters degree. His thesis is on monumental sculpture, with special focus on Holocaust themes.
His wartime experiences have instilled a passion for his people and his art. Kessel has several commissions in private collections in Melbourne, with works in marble and bronze. In addition to the Adelaide commission, he has several major works on the drawing board. His next project is a three-metre monument at the Melbourne Cemetery for the survivors of Mlawa, a small town in Poland.
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