Congratulations to Robert Hague – winner of the 2020 Montalto Sculpture Prize, a $40,000 acquisitive award.
‘I am honoured to have my work join the Montalto collection and also fortunate to have been given the perfect environment of undergrowth and trees, in a surprising kink in the sculpture trail, that encourages the sense of discovery for a work that is all about the archaeology of our recent history and what it means to be human. This work was a folly of good humour, a 10 foot broken dinner plate. I love the absurdity of it but more, the chance to reflect on our failure to embrace the inevitable failings and decline that besets us. We need to give ourselves a second chance.’ – Robert Hague
Robert Hague, The Golden Fleece, 2020, fibreglass, resin, paint, stainless steel, 340 x 340 x 50cm. Photograph: Robert Hague. Courtesy the artist and Montalto Sculpture Prize, Victoria
‘This is our 18th year of the Montalto Sculpture Prize! As creative director from its inception, I have had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand the growth of the Prize and its importance in the arts calendar. More importantly to me, I have met and connected with some incredible artists, most whom I have since followed on their journeys, watching them grow and develop their chosen practice. Our 2005 exhibition was the first time I met Robert Hague; his entry that year, a geometric simple composition, evoking a ribbon-like twirl of steel. With a further 15 years under his belt, Robert returns with an incredible work in the form of a 3.5 metre broken, discarded, souvenir plate The Golden Fleece. The imagery draws from Robert’s lithographic works, often combining historical ‘art’ reference with a biting commentary on the modern world. Lovely to have Robert in the 2020 exhibition, even better that his sculpture now joins our permanent collection at Montalto. Congratulations Robert!’ – Neil Williams, Montalto Creative Director.
Anton McMurray’s Tipping Point took out the Family Choice Award, while the People’s Choice Award will be announced at the close of the exhibition on 30 August 2020.
2020 Montalto Sculpture Prize finalists include: Graeme Altmann, Shawn Begley, Cliff Burtt, Ben Carroll, Ewen Coates, Philip Cooper, Mela Cooke, Ralf Driessen, Robert Hague, Hugh McLachlan, Anton McMurray, Luke Neil, James Parrett, Sonia Payes, Louis Pratt, Faustas Sadauskas, Alex Seton, Benjamin Jay Shand, Michael Sibel, Morgan Shimeld, Julia Sides + Martin George, James Voller, Clancy Warner, and Christabel Wigley.
