A delicate glass piece measuring just 9mm x 5mm, called Time, by emerging Sydney based sculptor Jessica Tse, is the smallest ever sculpture to be shortlisted in the 12 year history of the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize.
Other finalists include leading artists Nigel Harrison, Rodney Pople, Ron Robertson-Swann and Titania Henderson. Some of the found objects incorporated into the finalist’s works include a living bonsai entitled The Carbon Credit Machine by Thor Beowulf, Karleena Mitchell’s stack of books in Art Attack, Susanna Strati’s 1000 Memorialising Gestures with 1000 communion wafers and Sheena Dodd’s use of Tjanpi desert grass to create a delightful work, Tjulpu Uratja Kutjara or Two Waterbirds.
The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is a national prize for free-standing sculptures up to 80cm that draws dedicated support from artists, critics and collectors alike. This year the Prize has attracted 494 entries from Australia and other countries including New Zealand, India, Ireland, USA, UK, Ireland, Latvia and Japan.
The winner of the $10,000 Prize will be announced on Friday 26 October, followed by a free public exhibition showcasing the finalists which will run for two weeks from Saturday 27 October to Sunday 11 November.
This year the Prize will be judged by arts patron Guido Belgiorno-Nettis AM, Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW and Director of the Transfield Foundation. Joining Guido Belgiorno-Nettis will be Natalie Wilson, Assistant Curator, Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Professor Janice Reid AM FASSA, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney and Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW.
According to Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, “The task of choosing finalists was a great pleasure but also challenging as the prize attracts so many talented artists working in a diverse range of materials. This year’s finalists are pushing boundaries in the size and the ideas behind their sculptures. We are sure that the works we have chosen will stimulate and entertain everyone who sees them.”
The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize totals $13,000 across four categories:
– The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: an acquisitive award of $10,000;
– The Special Commendation: a non-acquisitive award of $2,000; and
– The Viewers’ Choice: a non-acquisitive award of $1,000.
– The Plinth Prize: awarded by exhibition installation staff.
The Viewers’ Choice Award will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Opening: Friday 26 October at 6pm (by invitation only).Winner and the Special Commendation Award announced. Woollahra Council, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay.
Exhibition of Finalists: 27 October to 11 November. Woollahra Council, 536 New South Head Road, Double Bay. 9am-5pm weekdays and 10am-4pm weekends. Free Entry.
Artist Floor Talks: Saturday 27 October. A selection of 2012 finalists will be conducting free community talks in conversation with Art Consultant Natalia Bradshaw at the exhibition between 2pm and 4pm. Free Entry.
Environmental Schools Sculpture Prize Launch: Monday 29 October at 4pm. Winners of the Junior and Senior sections of the Prize announced along with launch activities. Woollahra Council’s Customer Services Centre. The Environmental Schools Sculpture Prize Exhibition will continue weekdays, 8am to 4.30pm weekdays. Free Entry.
Sculpture Tea Topic: Friday 9 November. A guided tour of the Prize with a special guest presenter. 10am, includes high tea. Free Entry.
Guided Group Tours: Monday 27 October to Friday 9 November. By appointment only on 9391 7135.
The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is held in conjunction with the Environmental Schools Sculpture Prize which is open to all schools in the Woollahra Municipality.
