Malls Balls designer Bert Flugelman dies, aged 90

RENOWNED visual artist Bert Flugelman, whose teachings and works including the "Mall's Balls" inspired many, has died.

RENOWNED visual artist Bert Flugelman, whose teachings and works including the "Mall's Balls" inspired many, has died.

Flugelman died today surrounded by family at his home at Bowral in New South Wales. He was 90.

Daughter Kay Flugelman said her father's passing was peaceful.

"He said he wanted to stay for his 90th birthday, which we had a party with opera singers in late January," she said. "He was true to his word." Flugelman, who contracted polio aged 28, had in recent years battled post polio syndrome.

"He never ran out of ideas," Ms Flugelman said. "The saddest thing was he couldn't do anything with those ideas in the last few years."

Flugelman was the creator of Adelaide sculptures including The Spheres in Rundle Mall, known as the Mall's Balls, the Tetrahedra in Festival Plaza and The Knot in Light Square.

The Mall's Balls are now being shifted 3m south as part of the Rundle Mall redevelopment and there are fears the Tetrahedra may be moved as part of the Riverbank development.

Flugelman also designed many public works in New South Wales including the Pyramid Tower in Sydney, which was also coined the Silver Shish Kebab.

Public works of his can also be found in Brisbane and Canberra.

Long-time friend, Emeritus Professor of Visual Arts at Flinders University Donald Brook, said Flugelman would leave a lasting legacy.

"It's very sad," he said. "He's a person who will be very much missed by a great many people who admired his work and admired him.

"He was very influential. He had a great many students who were very much inspired by his teachings and his ideas."

Flugelman is survived by his wife and four children.