The Association of Sculptors of Victoria is an inclusive, not-for-profit collective of contemporary artists whose purpose is to inspire,stimulate and advance the appreciation, creation, and exploration of three-dimensional art in society.

Acting President's Message

There is a lot of fun and stimulus and interest in meeting the diverse group of people in the ASV – people you would probably never otherwise meet. There is really a great deal of work to be done.

A member could imagine the responsibility if she or he faced having to provide a meal for a number of up to 50m people. The ASV does something like this in each of 4 exhibitions per annum, and has in the past in addition carried out regular monthly education meetings, newsletters, a website, and association accounts and formalities.

Several levels of involvement are advocated:

1. New member: attend activities where possible, and enter exhibitions.

2. General members: attend activities, enter exhibitions, and help organise events.

3. Coordinators: attend activities, enter exhibitions, and lead & manage events/facilities.

4. Committee: plan events/facilities, appoint & help coordinators, control performance.

All ASV members are asked to take pro-active role. Please contact a Committee member or Coordinator on issues that you feel strongly about.

Constructive suggestions in time for action, not destructive suggestions after the fact, are really vital. We are not perfect. People come and go. We are all voluntary part-time. There is always plenty of ammunition for criticism.

In work for commercial organisations, I find invariably that a list of negative comments and historical failures, on its own, does not get a very positive response from commercial management. Management are busy with their own priorities, and to have to get acquainted with an array of new problems, and to try and develop countermeasures, often results in management setting up a study group, and usually postponing action. Sometimes a popular alternative is to just “shoot the messenger”. On the other hand if one notices a problem, tries to think through some corrective action, and suggests action to meet the identified problem, in time for management to do something, then positive action is much more likely to follow. This is probably particularly true of an association run by volunteers, where a cooperative effort is particularly appropriate.

So members are asked to contribute suggestions about ASV activities in a positive way.

An alternative to volunteer work may be to get independent paid professional services. If significant growth is envisaged for the ASV in the future, the use of paid professionals is worth members’ consideration. They have a cost.

My personal view is that it is now up to general members to either put up more constructive help, or to pay up for professional service providers, so the Coordinators and Committee can concentrate on priorities and development.

Unfortunately Denise has had to resign from the Committee, due to private commitments. We have been saved by Michael Meszaros agreeing to be an ordinary Member on the Committee in her place – thanks Michael.

Geoff Williams, Acting President

ASV Diary Dates

Meetings are held in the Boroondara Community Arts Room, rear 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn and start at 7:30pm.
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24th January to 8th February
Herring Island exhibition and demonstrations.

Monthly Meeting 11th February
Michael Meszaros will speak about public sculpture commissions

23rd February
Closing Date entries for MIFGS 2009
entry forms and conditions of entry can found on http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/mifgs_entry_2009.pdf http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/mifgs_information_2009.pdf

Monthly Meeting 11th March
Robert Lee will speak about installations.

1st to 5th April
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

No monthly meeting in April

CONSTITUTION

By January 31st, Leon will have circulated options on the membership clauses to the Committee for their consideration so that some definite order can be placed before a meeting of the Committee in the near future. This aims to settle the issue once and for all. Alternative models will therefore be available for members' perusal and consideration.

If you would like to make some contributions, please contact:

John Bishop 9885 2660 after 7pm and Leon Frankcom 93971410.

Alternatively for post, you may send mail to me as follows and I will send it on to them:

Geoff Williams, GLW Analysis Services Pty Ltd, PO Box 245, Collins Street West PO, Vic 8007.

Geoff Williams Vice President

Herring Island Exhibition Opening

The opening was a great success – lots of people contributed to make the afternoon a lively celebration. Thanks particularly to Gillian for handling the “kitchen and hospitality staff” coordination and lots of my fellow exhibitors for taking turns on the serving of food and drink. Australia Day weekend on the island was a lot quieter than it has been in previous years – no doubt due to the absolute buzz of activity all over Melbourne. We nevertheless made a good start by selling 6 works on the opening weekend.

On the Sunday members of the other exhibiting groups joined us to add the demonstration event to the festival. The images show Charlie Solomon from the Koorie Heritage Trust working with wood and hot wire, and Janet Matthews from the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia.

And then – in contrast – as I was closing the gallery on Saturday I witnessed the fire on the south-eastern arterial – fortunately there were no serious injuries – but it's a reminder that life can be scary at a moment's notice.

The preview cruise was cancelled due to lack of bookings – a pity after last year's enjoyable evening but predictable given the price rise. I look forward to seeing you on the island – you will be delighted with the work there and hopefully inspired to put something in next year.
HISAF Coordinator Jenny Rickards

What's on at Heide this Summer?

The art of existence, Les Kossatz 22 November 2008 – 8 March 2009

Purchase or renew a Heide Membership before 31 January 2009 for the chance to win a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley for six people.

There are also twenty-five Domaine Chandon tour and tasting vouchers to be won.

Heide Membership offers a growing list of benefits, including unlimited free entry to all ticketed exhibitions and a 10% discount in Heide Store. A number of different levels of membership are available, click here for more details or download a Heide Membership Brochure.

For more information:
T 03 9850 1500
membership@heide.com.au
Download the full competition
Terms & Conditions (pdf file, 60kb)

The prize draw will take place at Heide Museum of Modern Art on Monday 2 February 2009. Winners will be notified by telephone and mail.

Opportunities for Sculptors

The City of Hobart is inviting artists to enter for an acquisitive prize for sculpture of $15,000. There is another prize for drawing of the same amount and there is a non acquisitive prize of $7500 as well. Info can be got at www.hobartcity.com.au/artprize . Entries have to be in by 27th Feb


Yarrawonga Public Arts Project

Dates: 4pm, 28 January

Contact E-Mail:

contracts@moira.vic.gov.au

The Moira Shire Council and the Yarrawonga Public Art Committee invites Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified organisations or individuals to design and create a Marquette of proposed artwork to be displayed at three town entrance sites in Yarrawonga.

Web Address:

http://www.visualarts.net.au/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=1295&qid=95216


New member Natalie Stevens is associated with the Flying Horse Gallery in Warrnambool. The gallery offers the opportunity for solo or group exhibitions. You can contact Natalie on 0407 889 458.


Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition 2009

FESTIVAL DATES 1ST MAY – 31ST MAY 2009

Artist Entry form

The Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition is the most innovative and important annual event to take place in the Toorak Village, where we link the arts with business to form a unique cultural experience. During the month of May we exhibit contemporary sculptural works in the shop windows and on the sidewalks of Toorak Rd. Each year it continues to grow with increased enthusiasm from traders, artists & the public that view & buy sculpture.

2009 will be the 8th year of the Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition and we invite all emerging and prominent sculptors to submit entries for both interior & exterior installation.

  • Interior – small to medium sized for exhibition in shop windows & must be displayed on an independent white base (supplied by artist). Remember our shop window sizes do vary & the sculptures must share window space with shops merchandise.

  • Exterior - large sized, extremely robust & able to be fixed/bolted to footpath for installation along Toorak Road. There will be 8 to 10 sites available

Consultant curator – Malcolm Thomson, presently curator of the Clement Meadmore Gallery at the Australian Academy of Design will assist the exhibition committee with the selection of sculpture for the 2009 exhibition. We plan to have prizes of $5,000, $2,000 & $1,000 for the most innovative sculptural works, a prestigious opening in the Toorak Village, a full colour catalogue, signage, posters & an impressive media campaign. Once again it is proudly supported & sponsored by the City of Stonnington along with Toorak Village businesses.

We look forward to receiving entries for the Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition 2009
.

All enquiries to Tracey Cammock – mobile: 0438 542 713 or email: tracey@toorakvillage.com.au



MIFGS 2009

At the last committee meeting Patrick Culshaw provided a verbal report covering progress to date. He advised that an increase in prize money had been negotiated with IMG, and this will become permanent. IMG have also agreed to last year’s revised split up of commission, to ASV benefit. As well, Without Pier Gallery has again agreed to sponsor the Emerging Sculptor Award. The venue is the same as last year, with the same gazebo and more space than last year. Deborah Halpern will be Judge. A function will be held at La Notte again. Two other possible sponsors/donors are still to decide. The Committee congratulated the Treasurer on the favourable negotiations with IMG. So now sculptors – get ready to put your best foot forward for MIFGS 2009!

Entries close February 23rd 2009. Entry forms and conditions of entry can be downloaded at: http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/mifgs_entry_2009.pdf http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/mifgs_information_2009.pdf



New and Events

Jean Carson Gray is showing painting and sculpture at:
Chapel-on-Station Gallery on the corner of Station St and Ellingworth Pde, Box Hill from:
26th February to 11th March.
Gallery hours are:
Tues - Fri 11:30 am -3 pm
Saturday:1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sunday: 4.30 pm - 7.00 pm


Rudi Jass is putting on a solo exhibition at Axia Modern Art from 17 February to 8 March 2009. More information at
http://www.axiamodernart.com.au/exhibitions/steel-stone/


New Member!
This month we welcome new member Magdalena Dmowska and not only are we happy to see her work in the Herring Island exhibition – but she was our first sale on opening day! Congratulations Magdalena.

Abbotsford Convent is celebrating its 5th Birthday - Rough Diamond :: Convent Cornucopia 2009 is the Annual Gala Fundraising Event produced by the Abbotsford Convent Foundation (ACF) – a not-for-profit organisation responsible for the development of a community-owned arts, culture and learning precinct. Convent Cornucopia is held every year on 24 April (Anzac Eve) – the date that ‘the keys’ to the Convent were handed over to the ACF following a remarkable seven year battle to save the Abbotsford Convent site from inappropriate development.

This year, The Abbotsford Convent is celebrating her 5th birthday as a community-owned cultural asset. A rare gem, The Abbotsford Convent is a grand old dame albeit tarnished with age and worn by time. She has a dazzling future as a beacon of diverse cultural activity – community life at its palpable, beautiful best. Defined by shared cultural nurturing and learning of changing moods and big personalities, she is a rough diamond.

Convent Cornucopia 2009 is the unique Abbotsford Convent experience – a rare opportunity to see her all lit up and dressed up … with the promise of a good time. In contrast to her controversial and stoic past, Convent Cornucopia 2009 offers a revelatory (and possibly more than a little risqué) opportunity to mingle amongst the shared memories with old (and new) friends.

To book or for further information contact Abbotsford Convent Ph. 9415 3600 info@abbotsfordconvent.com.au

Another look at Public Art

A recent article in The Age commented on the vandalism of some street art – by Banksy – now a collectible artist but still present all over the world in stencil / graffiti form.

“IT WAS an act of either poetic justice or gross vandalism, depending on your aesthetic viewpoint.
A stencilled painting by British street artist Banksy, which had been on the rear wall of Melbourne's Nicholas Building since 2003 and was known locally as "the Little Diver", was defaced some time last month. Silver paint was poured between the metre-high picture and the sheet of perspex meant to protect it.
This fabulously crude handiwork was capped, in fat black tagger Texta, with the words "Banksy woz ere". Even if you were appalled by the act, you had to admire the statement of fact.”

The article in full was in The Age on January 1st and can be read at http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/usurper-ups-ante-in-street-artist-debate-20081231-77x9.html?page=-1

Have you looked at... www.artistcareer.com.au?

Apart from the fact that the site seems tricky to log into – something to do with my “cookies” I think – they are chock full of really useful information – take a look at their Explore page

http://www.artistcareer.com.au/index.php?sectionID=859&pageID=1272

for everything you've never thought of finding out about working in a professional manner – information for every artist who wants their work to be taken seriously.

Email received through the website

Well here is a trap for young players – we've received an email through the website from someone wanting a “garden ornament”. Here is the email complete – any responding sculptor should beware of transgressing the original “artist's” copyright – but you never know – someone may be able to help out and give our correspondent a bit of an education in the process.

Hi, I have designed a display garden that will be displayed at the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show at the beginning of April. It is one of the finalist entries for the Flemings Student competition.
The key motif is the 'golden spiral' and includes a sculpture "Giant Nautilus", that I had sourced from garden ornament suppliers, that reflects this motif. Since then, to my horror, I have found that this sculpture is no longer available from its original Chinese source. Can you suggest if anyone locally might reproduce such a thing - or similar?
It has a total height of 173cm, including base, and is made of fibreglass. You can see an image of the piece I am after at http://www.thecompletegarden.com.au/products.asp?cid=25&pid=29394 and you can see a rundown of my garden design at the Flemings website at http://www.flemings.com.au/studentdesign/finalist_gary.htm
I have a budget of approx $1000

Cheers
Gary


Gary Shadforth 0431 022 953