Caption: Mitch Evans sculpture ‘Eagle has Landed’ can be viewed on The Sculpture Trail which is 1.5km, and suitable for most ages and abilities. (PS)
The 2019 Sculpture Prize Exhibition has begun and runs until July 31.
In its 14th year, Art Farm Birchs Bay’s annual sculpture event has moved through different forms over the years, from Benchmarking Birchs Bay to Art Farm Birch’s Bay Sculpture Trail (AFBB).
The event now encompasses a small sculpture exhibition in the on-site gallery space, The Old Distillery, which extends the opportunity to exhibit to a wider range of artists.
Two years ago, AFBB began a community sponsored prize which gave individuals, local businesses and community organisations an opportunity to be part of the event.
Sponsors commit to donate for a minimum of three years and in addition to contributing to the two cash prizes, become part of the trail with a personalized ceramic arrow and opportunity to vote for the AFBB Acquisitive Prize.
The community sponsored prize continues to grow each year and enables AFBB, a small non-for-profit arts organisation, to sustain the annual event.
This year the event hosts over 20 artists, both local and interstate artists and sculptures can be viewed in the gallery, café, garden and on the bush trail.
Regular visitors to the sculpture event will recognize new works by artists Julie Milton, Richard Whitaker, Mike Limb, and Seth Isham.
Art Farm Birchs Bay also welcomes an array of artists new to the annual exhibition.
The awards this year include the Art Farm Birchs Bay and Five Bob Farm Acquisitive Prize, Kingborough Council Acquisitive Prize, Major Sculpture Prize ($5,000), Small Sculpture Prize ($1,000) and the People’s Choice Award ($500) donated by Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The followings awards were announced at the official opening event on Saturday, April 13.
Kingborough Council Acquisition
Shane Suris, ’Tin Tuna’
Art Farm Birchs Bay / Five Bob Farm Acquisition
Christie Lange, ‘Seeds of Potential’ and Mitch Evans, ‘Eagle has landed’
Major Sculpture Prize (large sculpture)
Dan O’Toole, ‘Raising Hope’
Small Sculpture Prize
Grietje van Randen, ‘Looking Out For Others’
The judges this year were Caroline David Choi, Anna Eden and Edith Perrenot,
selected for their experience and expertise in the art world.
Anna Eden was recipient of the 2016 Bett Gallery Undergrad Award, and currently works in a commercial gallery and has her own artistic practice in mixed media and installation.
Edith Perrenot has been involved with AFBB was a contributing artist for many years.
This year she brings her experience into the role of judge rather than participating artist.
Caroline Davis Choi has a varied background in the arts, including academic qualifications in art history, curatorship and painting conservation, experience in both public and private art galleries and cultural institutions in Australia and overseas.
Caroline currently works as the arts and events project officer at Kingborough Council.
