Ballina Public Art – The Rusty Plank

Towering proudly at the gateway to Lennox Head, The Rusty Plank is a striking 12-foot corten steel sculpture created by blacksmith Jim Blower and artist Potts. The piece stands as a bold tribute to the spirit of surfing — celebrating the camaraderie, freedom, and connection to the ocean that define the Lennox lifestyle.

Weighing over 130 kilograms and forged from weathering steel, the sculpture’s rugged materiality mirrors the strength and endurance of the surf culture it honours. The artists describe it as “a heavy metal attitude with a Beach Boys spirit” a fitting nod to the balance between grit and joy that surfing inspires.

Jim Blower, a Byron-based blacksmith with over 40 years of experience, creates bespoke furniture, fittings, and large-scale metal artworks from his Bangalow studio.
Potts, a Mullumbimby-based fine artist, graphic designer, and sculptor, draws inspiration from surf, ocean, and coastal culture. Working across multiple mediums, his art captures the movement, texture, and rhythm of the natural environment, infusing each piece with colour and energy.

Together, their collaboration combines craftsmanship and creativity, resulting in a work that’s both industrial and soulful — a true reflection of the Lennox Head surf community.