Watson’s Bay body has been identified as an Aboriginal art dealer as NSW police hunt for a second mystery man
Tim Clingender, 59, was on a fishing expedition when the Aboriginal art dealer was pulled from the water in Sydney Harbour.
A man found dead in Sydney Harbor after a suspected boating accident has been identified as a leading Aboriginal industry trader.
Police pulled the body of 59-year-old Tim Klingender from the water just south of The Gap near Watson’s Bay, one of the city’s most famous lookout points, just after 10 a.m. Thursday.
Emergency crews were responding to reports of boat wreckage in water about 200 meters from land.
It comes as police are still looking for another man, aged 51, who is also believed to have been on board.
The body of 59-year-old Tim Klingender (pictured) was pulled from the water by police south of The Gap near one of the city’s most famous lookout points, Watson Bay, just after 10am on Thursday.
Police were seen pulling debris from the water with lifejackets among the wreckage in their boats
Police are still looking for another man, aged 51, believed to have also been on board
Mr Klingender, who was pulled into the water wearing only his socks, was out on a fishing trip on Thursday morning.
The death of the married father of two has cast a pall over the industry.
Gallery owner and art dealer Michael Reed said Mr Kilgender’s death was an unimaginable and devastating loss for his family and indeed the Australian art world.
‘Tim was quick to laugh,’ Mr Reid wrote in a tribute posted on Facebook.
Rescuers looking for another person have extended their search from The Gap south of the coast to Kuzi’s Wedding Cake Island.
‘Start the first adventure and always be ready for a chat. Tim had an elegant rakishness that leaned toward the deliciously louche.
‘With a deep understanding of fine and decorative arts, Tim was as much an interior stylist as an important art dealer. Tim had power, warmth and presence, in spades.
‘His funeral will be huge, as friends have gathered from many walks and corners of his life.’
Mr Klingender (pictured) has been described by industry experts as ‘the architect of our domestic art market today’.
Mr Klingender is considered one of the world’s leading dealers in Australian Aboriginal art and counts wealthy private collectors and Hollywood celebrities among his clients, including the comedian Steve Martin.
He trained at the University of Melbourne where he studied fine art before spending 20 years working for Sotheby’s, where he served as international director between 1998 and 2009.
Melbourne gallerist D’Lan Davidson, one of the world’s leading dealers in Aboriginal art, told the Sydney Morning Herald Mr Klingender was ‘the architect of the (Aboriginal art) market we have today’.
Rescuers looking for another person have expanded their search from The Gap south of the coast to Kuzi’s Wedding Cake Island.
Sea conditions around the search area are fair; It’s a bit swell for Marine Rescue NSW search crews but visibility is fairly good,’ said Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond.
Police urge anyone with information to contact Marine Area Command or Crime Stoppers.
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