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Over 150 friends and family have gathered at dawn on Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east for a ‘sad but joyful farewell’ for a celebrated artist after his shock passing.
Father-of-two Dion Horstmans, 57, was found dead at his home in south Bondi’s Forest Knoll Avenue in February. Police ruled out any suspicious circumstances.
His daughter Zaza revealed he had taken his own life in a heartbreaking post on social media a month after his death.
‘My dad took his life 32 days ago,’ she posted alongside a throwback photograph of herself as a toddler, perched on her father’s shoulders.
‘A month of crying myself in and out of sleep. A month of falling into fits of rage at the world and the people around me. A month of being confused.’
She added: ‘No one tells you what it’s like when you lose the best person in the world.
‘But all I can say is that i I feel like I may be in hell and I do hope that he may be flying around in heaven.
‘Call your dads, your mums, your mates and your lovers. Tell them you love them.’
His daughter Zaza (pictured as a toddler on her father’s shoulders) revealed he had taken his own life in a heartbreaking post on social media a month after his death
Designer Camilla Franks (pictured right) seen hugging a fellow mourner
Over 150 people gathered on Bondi Beach to farewell artist Dion Horstmans
His tight-knit beach community held a short memorial service at first light on Saturday
On Saturday, his tight-knit beach community held a short memorial service at first light, with scores of celebrities, friends and family turning out to pay their respects.
Mourners included Sneaky Sound System’s Connie Mitchell, designer Camilla Franks, reality star Veronica Cloherty and model turned interior designer Michelle Leslie.
His partner Jo Mooney also shared a heartbreaking post in the days before his memorial.
‘As hard as it is to let you go, I know this is where you belong now – in the morning light, the salt, the swell,’ she wrote.
‘I will lay you gently in the waves, and in doing so, I will carry you with me always.’
The celebrated artist was best known for his multi-dimensional geometric wall sculptures, often in bright fluorescent colours.
Originally from Wellington in New Zealand, he spent 15 years working in the film industry making props and models for movie sets before becoming a full-time artist
A GoFundMe to support daughters Juna and Zaza was launched by Ms Mooney, and has raised $106,000-plus in the weeks following his death.
Dion Horstmans was best known for his multi-dimensional geometric wall sculptures, often in bright fluorescent colours
Sneaky Sound System’s Connie Mitchell seen at Dion Horstmans memorial on Saturday morning
Mourners were invited to carry a flower
Model turned interior-designer Michelle Leslie was in crowd of mourners in Bondi Beach
Mourners seen at Bondi Beach
The couple were both long-time residents of the beachside Sydney suburb but were not believed to be living together at the time of his death.
Ms Mooney said in the appeal that she hopes the fundraiser will keep his legacy alive, and has a target of raising $150,000 for his children.
‘All donations, no matter the size, will go directly to his family to help them through this difficult time,’ she said.
‘Your kindness will not only support his daughters but also ensure that Dion’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.’
The death of the larger-than-life figure had left the art world in mourning.
‘His passion for life, art, and the people around him left an indelible mark on the Australian creative community, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him,’ the post read.
‘We have lost a dear friend, a beloved father, and an irreplaceable artistic soul.
‘Dion’s presence was larger than life, and while he is no longer with us, his influence and impact will never fade.’
For support, call 1800 RESPECT, Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
A fundraiser has been launched with a target of raising $150,000 for his children
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