In the studio of our sculptor Lovre Jakšić, the process of creating a stone monument dedicated to the Brač-born inventor Mario Puratić is currently underway. He is considered one of the most significant historical figures from the island of Brač. This project brings together art, history, and local identity, realised through a complex process of sculptural modelling – from the initial portrait in clay to the final portrait in stone.
Mario Puratić was born in 1904 in Sumartin, into a family of labourers and fishermen. The hardships of island life led him to emigrate to the United States in 1938, where he worked as a fisherman in San Pedro, California. It was there, faced with the physically demanding task of hauling fishing nets, that he conceived an idea that would transform the fishing industry. Within just a few months, he invented the “Puratić power block”, a mechanised system that significantly eased the hauling of nets and reduced the number of workers required. His invention quickly became a standard in the global fishing industry, and its importance was further recognised when a fishing vessel equipped with the device was depicted on the US five-dollar banknote.
Such a life story calls for a worthy artistic interpretation. The creation of this stone monument begins in the studio with detailed modelling of the sculpture in clay, where a realistic portrait is shaped to capture the character and personality of the inventor. This stage is essential for defining proportions, expression, and the overall composition of the sculpture. It is followed by the transfer of the form into stone in our workshop, where the portrait in stone is created – executed in a durable material that symbolises permanence and memory.
The final stone monument will be installed in Sumartin, Mario Puratić’s birthplace, returning his legacy to the community from which he originated. The project has been realised with the support of the Local Action Group in Fisheries (LAGUR) and the Selca Tourist Board, who recognised the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage through art.
This project is yet another example of how stonemasonry, sculpture, and a contemporary approach to making sculptures can come together to create a work that goes beyond aesthetics and becomes a lasting mark in space – a fusion of art, tradition, and the identity of the island of Brač.
