Editor's Quote and President's Letter

Hello sculptors - the end of another month is rolling around. Some of us have exhibitions throughout the second half of the year. I see them coming up on the social media feeds - we really should put together a diary list so that groups of us can plan to see and discuss those shows.

Some of the exhibitions run outside the ASV have long lead times between close of entries and the start of the exhibition. This can make it hard to commit to showing your most recent work… will it sell in an exhibition prior to the one entered? Each exhibition has its own idiosyncrasies… we need to be aware of them and to work with them.

Annual & Awards Exhibition 2026

Annual Awards Exhibition Roundup

Patrick Duffey "Equus Machina"

Congratulations to everyone for an excellent exhibition displaying works of such a wide variety of themes, materials and techniques.

There was something for everyone as shown in the wide variety of pieces that received votes in the people’s choice award. This was won by Gillian Govan for her piece Sea Breeze closely followed by Patrick Duffy’s Broken Relics and Equus Machina.

Lots of votes also went to Sue Smales’ Planet Platypus and Julian Guy’s Lyrebird. Our exhibition was much admired, and we sold 11 pieces two via the online exhibition that continued for another week. Rob Anderson as always did a fantastic job of the photography of our pieces.

Gillian Govan "Sea Breeze"

I would like to thank all the people who helped put the exhibition together:

Jenny Rickards, Gillian Govan, Yvonne Monik, Anne Anderson, Jonathan Mendez-Butte, Bonnie Cruickshank and Aukje Van Vark.

Mould Making Workshop

After many inquiries and much interest Ryan Campbell from Dalchem/Advanced Materials will run a workshop

on : 12th August

at: 141 Herald Street Moorabbin from: 10.30 am to 4pm

The cost of this class is $125 per person and all materials are supplied.

If you are interested please contact me on 0412122884
or gmps.govan@bigpond.com
There are only 12 places so, please register your interest as soon as possible.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. If you took part in the last workshop you are still welcome again as Ryan will extend the information to talk about more complex figures and making multiple piece moulds. 

Gillian Govan

Other Opportunities

 ART PRIZE

Southern Ocean Art Prize

Uranga Small Sculpture Prize
2026 entry form and information

Global Art Project Melbourne

https://www.gap.net.au/gap

We are seeking artists working in a wide range of 2D media for 8 new opportunities in both Metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Artworks will need to be delivered as digital files suitable for application to various 2D surfaces.

Members' News

Patrick Duffy – Artist Statement

LIFE BEYOND THE BOX: 2026 Exhibition
KANK WOLVERANG GALLERY
30 Main Road, Bakery Hill, Ballarat
10.30 – 5.00 Thursdays to Sundays in AUGUST 2026

Following on from my 2023 exhibition, a chaotic dive into a scattered mind excitingly exploring the medium of recycled cardboard. This show sees a more in-depth approach to my work.

LIFE BEYOND THE BOX is an exploration of aspects of my life, sculptured cardboard busts speak to the celebrations, connections, struggles, and growth of my world over the last 3 years.

Each bust exists on the foundation of a sculptured cardboard skull and part skeleton to add a hidden layer to the sculpture, though not seen it exists to support and offer a sense of life beyond the material.

Cardboard connected me to my childhood, the ultimate raw material of my play. Cartons became castles, race cars, spaceships, and secret hideouts. My imagination didn’t just see boxes; it saw possibility.

Cardboard, humble as it is, now, as an artist, offers endless surprises in texture, form, colour, and strength and I invite the viewer to reconnect with their own sense of play.