Sale once again played host to the Victorian Sculpture Prize over the Melbourne Cup weekend.
Hosted by the Association of Sculptors of Victoria (ASV), the event featured 126 large and small artworks displayed in the Port of Sale precinct from October 28 to November 1.
While the wet and cool weather kept attendees at bay on the Friday and Saturday, by Sunday the skies were clear and the temperature warm enough to entice locals outdoors to view the exhibition.
Many of the sculptors who entered the Prize were on-hand to discuss the inspiration and methods behind their artworks, such as Chris Anderson.
He told the Gippsland Times that one of his sculptures, titled Flutterby, was first envisaged while he and his wife were out weeding their property.
“She was tired, so she sat on a rock with her head in her hands just resting looking at the garden…I noticed some flowers fly past her, and swirl around her and move on,” Mr Anderson said.
The inspiration for Flutterby came to him at that moment.
Photo: Stefan Bradley
Mr Anderson’s work is made out of corten steel, and incorporates 100 individually-cut butterflies that are welded together.
“I started at the bottom, and literally put the next one there and worked my way up slowly,” he said.
East Gippsland artist Paul Gennings also attended the event, having entered three sculptures in this year’s Prize.
Mr Gennings chose to enter both to support the ASV, and because his work is better suited to an outdoor environment.
“It’s fun to be able to play in a space that’s large like this (the Port of Sale), and in amongst so many really nice works as well,” Mr Gennings said.
He also spoke positively about the interaction between artists, noting that fellow entrants had visited his studio over the course of the weekend: “It’s a nice way to network and to talk conceptually about your work with other artists.”
Photo: Tom Parry.
All entries were evaluated by three judges – one from Wellington Shire Council, the second a member of the Gippsland Art Gallery, and the third a member from the ASV – who all looked for a piece that that can be put in a public space.
“Some pieces can’t be considered for that because they wouldn’t be safe (or) durable,” Mr Anderson explained.
“And if they don’t stand up to vandalism, that would be a huge concern as well, sadly.”
Photo: Stefan Bradley
This year’s Major Prize was awarded to Boolarra resident Paul Jesse for his sculpture titled Helix.
The piece, which took six months to construct, is made of ferro-cement with mosaic tiles attached, and is inspired by the coding in DNA.
Mr Jesse said he entered the Prize because he liked the idea of his piece going into a public place.
“Not that I was thinking I’d have any chance of winning, but the idea that it’s going to a lovely setting, rather than set amongst a concrete sort of thing or somebody’s backyard… was a big incentive,” Mr Jesse said.
The inaugural Victorian Sculpture Prize was held in Sale last year, with artist Andre Sardone’s winning artwork – Shimmering Penny Tree – purchased by Wellington Shire and placed in the Sale Botanic Gardens for public display.
Photo: Tom Parry
