In September the 13th annual ‘SWELL Sculpture Festival‘, Queensland’s premier outdoor exhibition, will present up to 55 sculptures built by local, national and international artists.
With a vast coastal landscape set between two iconic headlands at Currumbin Beach, ‘SWELL Sculpture Festival’ encourages submissions of large art forms of a substantial footprint, ephemeral or site-specific purpose for a chance at winning awards of over $25,000. Entries are open to all artists nationally and internationally, working in any medium.
As well as the major award of $15,000 sponsored by the City of Gold Coast, additional awards include the popular $3,000 Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC People’s Choice Award, $3,000 Kids’ Choice Award, $3,000 Max Fabre Foundation Environmental Awareness Award and $1,500 Jennie Neumann OAM Emerging Artist Award.
This year Urban Art Projects shows their support by offering a mentorship to a recent arts graduate or emerging artist from the group of artists selected to exhibit. The recipient will have access to UAP’s studio and workshop, and will also receive professional guidance to support skill development from concept design through to a completed artwork, which will be exhibited at ‘SWELL 2015’.
In 2014, the major $15,000 cash award was awarded to artist Daniel Clemmett for his striking three metre rifle constructed using recycled automotive panels entitled Keeping up with the Kalashnikovs. Clemmett said actually winning the award has been a ‘game changer’ and encourages all artists to submit, “you’ve got to be in it to win it.”
“It is Queensland’s premier outdoor sculpture event led and run by a team of committed art lovers,” he said. “With a visionary judge in Chris Saines, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director, versed in the best of contemporary art and a commitment to a non-acquisition prize, ‘SWELL’ keeps it real.”
In addition to the awards and exposure, ‘SWELL’ offers artists unparalleled opportunities such as media profiles, the chance to establish new industry contacts, professional development, and the potential to sell and commission works.
Over 10-days, audiences will experience the sculptures, enjoy twilight walks, informative artist talks, discover new perspectives, wander through the Swell Smalls Gallery and participate in artist master classes and children’s workshops. ‘SWELL’ has grown from humble beginnings to become a very significant economic driver for the Gold Coast, attracting more than 250,000 visitors and generating an estimated $6.5 million during the 2014 event.
Entries for the ‘2015 SWELL Sculpture Festival’ close on Friday 6 March.
Daniel Clemmett, Keeping up with the Kalashnikovs
