Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe announces New Zealand artist Phil Price as the recipient of the EY People’s Choice Prize of $5,000 for his kinetic sculpture Ipomoea.
Exhibiting this year as the Tourism WA Invited International Artist, Price is regarded as one of the leading kinetic sculptors of his generation. The breathtaking seven metre Ipomoea has captivated visitors during the 15th annual exhibition.
Phil Price, Ipomoea, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2019. Photograph: Clyde Yee
Upon receiving the award Price said, ‘I’m very humbled, a big thank you to Sculpture by the Sea organisers, artists, Tourism WA and all those involved in the exhibition. I’m sorry I can’t be there today, it was a such a pleasure to be invited and a great joy to bring my work to this extraordinary exhibition in Cottesloe. It’d be a real shame if this show ended, from what I’ve experience it’s a wonderful and unique exhibition for all. Hope to see you again soon.’
EY People’s Choice Prize is voted by visitors of the exhibition. Ipomoea proved so popular with the public that Price’s work also received the Kids’ Choice Prize of $2,000, which is voted for by children who visited Cottesloe Beach during the 18-day exhibition.
Founding director David Handley said: ‘Phil’s work is simply stunning the way it combines sculpture and engineering to respond to the wind in such a random yet graceful way. Congrats and thanks for delighting and surprising so many people.’
Liberal candidate for the Federal seat of Curtin, Celia Hammond announced artist Janine McAullay-Bott from Thornlie, WA as the recipient of The Andrea Stretton Memorial Invitation to exhibit in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2019 for her work Vintage Bush Truck, made from palm branches and bamboo. Organisers reinstated the $5,000 Andrea Stretton Memorial Invitation, paid from funds for the Bondi exhibition as a sign of the committed support towards WA artists and the opportunities these two exhibitions provide.
Town of Cottesloe Mayor, Philip Angers, presented Italian-born Fremantle artist Alessandra Rossi with the Sculpture by the Sea Exhibiting Artists’ Pick for her steel and coloured perspex sculpture Cairn.
The 15th annual exhibition of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe featured more than 70 Australian and international artists. Perth’s largest free to the public outdoor exhibition has now officially closed – stay tuned for Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi later in the year.
