Remembering artist and ’local legend‘ David Alexander Kopelman

The Phillip Island community is reeling after the death of a much loved local artist. Read the tributes here.

David Alexander Kopelman, known as DAK by the Phillip Island community, has passed away.

The death of a beloved local artist has rocked the Phillip Island community.

David Alexander Kopelman, known by the community as DAK, passed away last week after a long battle with health issues including type one diabetes.

He leaves behind a legacy of amazing metal sculptures and eye-catching murals.

DAK produced art for the residents and the Phillip Island community as a whole for more that 30 years.

He enjoyed “following nature” and reflected this in the work he created.

Much loved Phillip Island artist David Alexander Kopelman (DAK) has passed away, leaving behind a long legacy of unique artwork.

“He was a very special person,” friend Fiona Coletta said.

“He often popped in with his critters (his animals) as he called them.”

“At my husband’s 50th party, a possum was walking along our side fence.

“DAK just went to it and started patting it. The possum loved it. It stayed still and was moving its head to where DAK was scratching it.

“Beautiful moment.”

As well as his art, DAK was also known for his pet duck, Skippy, and dog, Tigs, which would go with him just about everywhere.

“Always good to chat to him and his ducks,” local Gus Victoria said.

DAK Shopping with his duck.

He began his artistic journey by painting but needed a medium which allowed him to be rougher.

“When I first started my work I wasn’t in a good place mentally. The sculptures are good for me because I could just get lost in them,” he said in a short documentary made about his life in 2017.

He has been remembered as a “larger than life” figure who was “eccentric” and “brought life to the Island”.

Friend Chris Ramsay said he remembered walking into DAK’s back garden to find him laying on the grass.

DAK and Skippy.

“He was lying on his perfectly manicured grass in the front behind the gates. a true Sanctuary he could indulge. I walked in and said DAK, what are you doing? To which he replied. ‘Ramsay, come down and just appreciate my grass for a moment it’s so lush’,” Chris said.

All of his sculptures had a story and he loved to “remember moments in time” through his artwork.

His front gate was a nod towards when the desalination plant went in Wonthaggi and his surfer on Phillip Island Rd was inspired by a time when the Island was sandy roads and surfers. His well known motorbike guy in the garden centre was inspired by his time in Queensland.

DAK and his dog Tigs.

The iconic crow stealing a motorbike was inspired by the time a crow was stealing things from his workshop and the well known San Remo pelican was a comment on the rubbish in our oceans.

Tributes have flown on social media, farewelling the “creative and gentle soul”.

“Your art work will live on in your memory,” Michelle Diggins wrote.

David Alexander Kopelman known as DAK by the Phillip Island community has passed away.

“Such a unique identity. The Island has lost a true free spirit. We‘ll miss you Dak,” Madeline Pitt wrote.

Many said his art would live on in the community and carry his memory forward.

There are plans to establish a GoFundMe page to raise money to erect plaques at his artworks to remember and pay tribute to him.