President's Message July 2009

The fire at Manningham Gallery has been a disaster for those participating in the Annual Exhibition, after many hours of hard work by Marija, Bronwyn, and Gillian in planning and setting it up, and a great start. The exhibition had opened in a party atmosphere; the exhibits looked to be good standard, well laid out, beautifully lit, and with a great sound from the band, thanks to Rod. The hall was full of people as an opening night should be – really buzzing. Now the closure of the council complex has sadly limited sales to John Bishop (2) and Meredith Plain. Well done by those two in surmounting trials by fire and financial recession. The council is now arranging cleaning of exhibition sculptures by professional art specialists. Patrick Culshaw on behalf of the Exhibition Sub-Committee is liaising with the council curator, and exhibitors, and any enquiries should be sent to him.

I heard Edward Albee, playwright (“Who’s afraid of Virginia Wolf”) and three times Pulitzer prize winner, recently discuss his 30+ works and approach to art (Radio National Artworks 12 July 2009). It seemed to me that some of the pearls cast over the air waves had a wider impact, and are maybe relevant to the art of sculpture:
• Has it been done well, and was it worth doing?
• Reading really bad plays is enormously encouraging.
• I (Albee) write plays to make people different. All art to be any good must be useful. It is not enough to be decorative. Art must be useful. It must change our perceptions. That is the function of art.

I wonder how many of us would agree. It might be interesting to have a discussion on what each of us aims to do in our sculpture.

The AGM looks to be full of boring business stuff so we are going to try to have a social for those brave enough to attend. Do come and let your hair down in frank discussion, including where we are going, and where we are not going. Please note the date is Wednesday August 12 at 7.30 pm. We missed an error on the Agenda showing a date of August 18: that is incorrect. Our apologies for that.

Geoff Williams

ASV Diary Dates

Meetings are held in the Boroondara Community Arts Room, rear 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn and start at 7:30pm.
Annual Subscription
Renewals 30th June

it is unlikely that reminders will be issued before the AGM on 12th August - if you aren’t financial you can’t vote.

The ASV Annual Exhibition runs from 15 July to 31st July.
Well a fire put paid to our exhibition - by the time of the AGM we should be in a position to say what happened - right now the committee is totally involved in finding out where we all stand and what can be done. Information will go out as it comes to hand.

Monthly Meeting 12th August
This will be our Annual General Meeting. See the president’s note for the activities of the evening.

Monthly Meeting 9th September
There are two reasons to meet in September - one is to arrange car pooling to get to Lorne to visit Qdos gallery on the weekend of the 19th. The other is because Jenny Rickards will talk about Herring Island and the Summer Arts Festival - coming up again in January to April 2010.

19th September
Check the information in this newsletter - Graeme Wilkie has invited us to Qdos Gallery in Lorne - car pooling can be arranged at the meeting on 9th September.

Tesselaar Sculpture Exhibition
16th September to 13th October

Visit to Qdos

Saturday the 19th is the day that begins the
6th Annual Sogetsu Ikebana Workshop and Exhibition at Qdos.

Ceramic works by Graeme Wilkie and Sogetsu by Christopher James and his students.
(Christopher recently assisted in the creation of a major works in the sculpture garden at the NGV and appeared on the ABC Arts Show talking about Sogetsu and that particular piece)

The Exhibition:
Sunday 20th Sept - 4th Oct 2009 9:00am -5:00pm daily

The Saturday workshop is only for practitioners of Sogetsu, the gallery is open to the public as the works are assembled around the ceramics. This annual exhibition concludes of the annual making/firing cycle of the ceramic studio, all the works in the show are fresh from the recent anagama wood firing.

www.woodfiredceramics.com.au

Visiting sculptors can enjoy the new works in the gallery and grounds and Graeme is happy to show all his studio and kilns.

After, perhaps have a bit to eat at the Qdos cafe.

New Members

New ASV Members! This month we welcome Anthony Kim

2009 Annual Sculpture Exhibition and Awards

A Great Exhibition - A Glittering Opening - and then .....

It was indeed a glittering opening - the work looked great and was the culmination of the sculptors’ and the sub committee’s work. The staff at Manningham proved up to the demands of a sculpture exhibition and all promised to go well - alas! Disaster struck - and a fire has closed the building and the gallery. We are all waiting and hoping that the work is ok - it’s not burnt but smoke and dust affected. Good luck everyone and the images are on the web site now - details on winners still to be put onto the main ASV website.

and this is what the gallery looked like when it was all set up - brilliant work everyone!

Margaret Gunnersen and William Hoggan Thomas Award

First Prize
$1000.00 and medallion donated by Estate of Margaret Gunnersen
Betty Collier, “Nouveauesque Motif” huon pine








Second Prize
$500.00 (sponsored by ASV)
Michael Meszaros, “The Battle of Polygon Wood 1917-2007” bronze











Third Prize
$250.00 (Sponsored by ASV)
Lise Toft, “Row of Boats” ceramic, mixed media











Tina Wentcher Sculpture Prize
First Prize
$1000.00 and Medallion donated by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Marija Patterson, “Temptation” bronze, polyethylene












Second Prize
$500.00 sponsored by ASV
Vladimir Chirokov, “Siren” New Zealand kauri

Highly Commended
One Year Membership to ASV (sponsored by ASV)
Tim Kervin, “Rakish” scrap metal
Jenny Whiteside, “Miss Lulouella” alabaster


Dalchem Prize
Product valued at $350.00 sponsored by Dalchem
Ron Davis, “Make Waves” lead
Peoples’ Choice Award
Product valued at $250.00 donated by Bulleen Art and Garden Centre.
Announced on last day of exhibition.
Box of assorted wine donated by Kooyonga Chapel Winery for lucky voter.
Announced on last day of exhibition.
Other Sponsorship:
Kooyonga Chapel Winery for wine at opening night function.

Tina Wentcher Sculpture Prize Judges’ Comments

1st Prize No. 72 Temptation

This work evokes the maxim that the biggest is not necessarily the best. It incorporates the clever use of two disparate materials – bronze & polyethylene. In Temptation there is an interesting dynamic of the open hand ready to accept a tenuously hanging apple. There is also an inviting temptation for the viewer to touch the crocheted apple from the snake like branch which is an extension of the hand.

2nd Prize No. 52 Siren

This is a well carved, grafted & proportioned piece with strong lines. Siren exudes seductive animalism & a lithe suppleness, with full lips & a come hither cheeky face. Imploring are you man enough?

Honorable mention

No. 67 Rakish

This piece reminds you of your inebriated aunt: good fun, loud & abrasive. This work exhibits a clever use of garden implements & found objects. It has funkiness about it.








No. 79 Miss Lulouella

The Alabaster stone is well worked & the piece has a number of interesting aspects three dimensionally. It has a strong presence with its arched torso & the head & hair flow majestically.

Judges:
Savaad Felich,
Elaine Pullum,
Michael Meszaros

Judge’s Comments for the
Dalchem Prize
54 Make Waves

•The fluidity of the overall piece
•Movement evident in the lead
•Pivot points of the intersecting pieces give a sense of the temporary.
•Optical quality, drawing your eye to all parts of the sculpture creating an illusion of movement of waves.

Judge: Darren McNicholas

Committee Information

Current ASV Committee

President
Geoff Williams bh 9670 0824

Vice President
Michael Meszaros bh 9853 9610

Acting Secretary, Treasurer and Public Officer
Patrick Culshaw 9857 9153

Committee members
Marija Patterson 9489 4537
John Bishop 9885 2660

Erratum
There was a “Typo” error in last month’s report on the Special General Meeting. The 4th Motion was passed Unanimously - 40 to nil not as reported .

Patrick Culshaw, Acting Secretary

Letter(s) to the Editor

To the Editor.

Re your comments at the end of last month’s Sculpere.

I thoroughly endorse your plea for more articles and Photos. May be someone could volunteer to write a regular article about different Members, their work, their studio, their background, their ideas on Art and even on life!

I often hear people say they can’t come to meetings because they live too far away. Well, this is one job that could be done on the ‘phone or by eMail. You don’t have to live in the City to help.
We need more involvement in all aspects of running the Association.
Simply put the association will cease to exist unless we get volunteers to fill the committee and work on other activities – Exhibitions, publicity, fund raising to name but a few.
The President is talking about paying for certain administrative functions. It is hard to see how an organisation such as ours could afford this for any length of time. Another thought is to give certain administrative Officers an “Honorarium”. This is done in many organisations, and helps defray out of pocket expenses which are never fully claimed and become a burden to some (would be) volunteers.

These are my personal views, I am not speaking for the Committee.

Patrick Culshaw

News and Opportunities

Limestone Supplies

My name is Geoff Woods from Australian Limestone, this just an introduction if your sculptors are looking as sourcing Mt Gambier Limestone sculpting blocks. I have them listed on Ebay under the name of limestone blocks or you can view my Website www.australianlimestone.com Thank you for your time.
Kind regards Geoff Woods. 0418591474

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Brimbank Council is calling for EOIs for a project involving 4 public works for a total budget of $200,000.
Info is available at:
www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/arts or phone 9361 6600. EOIs are due by 10th Aug.

MM

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Michael Meszaros very modestly didn’t tell us he had work in the Cancer Council Victoria Arts Awards exhibition. The work, entitled “Me, Cancer” - and Michael, received a write up in the local paper

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Brooch ... the Subject III

we would like to invite you to the opening of: Brooch....The Subject III

An exhibition of small wearable artworks.

An initiative of the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc.

Artists from across Melbourne, country Victoria and interstate have created over 140 “Brooches” - (think small mini-sculptures made of plastic, wood, beads, cast paper, found objects, stone, etc) and 2-dimensional laminated ‘wearable art cards’ (drawn in pen, ink, pencil, paint, pastel etc). Tell your friends! Don’t miss this chance to buy a unique small wearable artwork at affordable prices (average price $25)!

The opening will be on Saturday 1st August, 12 Noon.

The exhibition will be on display to the public: 1st August - 6th October 2009. At the Fitzroy Library, wall-display cases: 128 Moor Street, Fitzroy, Vic. Melway ref: 2C B9
Library Hours: Mon: 10am-6pm; Tue: 1-8pm; Wed: 1-8pm; Thur: 10am-6pm; Fri: 1-6pm; Sat: 10am-4pm; Sun: 2-5pm.

NAVA Opportunities

members of NAVA receive an email with opportunities for visual artists - always worthwhile keeping an eye on things like this:
Call for submissions: Kangaroo Point Outdoor Sculpture
QLD | 10 August
Contact E-Mail: angeline.smith@projectservices.qld.gov.au

Project Services is calling for Expressions Of Interest from artists for an artwork opportunity at a new park at Kangaroo Point. A large-scale sculpture reflective of the history of Queensland and to serve as a positive symbol for the future. Local, national and International artists are invited to apply. Indigenous artists interested in public art are encouraged to apply. To receive a copy of the EOI Package, please call Angeline Smith on 07 3235 4066 or angeline.smith@projectservices.qld.gov.au

Web address:
http://www.visualarts.net.au/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2096&qid=137630

Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize

Entries are Now Open for the 2009 Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize.
Robe plays host to its second Southern Ocean Art Prize to be held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend from 30 October – 3 November 2009.
The Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize is an open, non-acquisitive art prize attracting artists and audiences of all ages from around Australia. All participating artists have the chance to compete for significant cash prizes in their chosen fields and also present new works for sale and exhibition.
This year the Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize offers five award categories:
2-Dimensional - $1000 cash
3-Dimensional – $1000 cash
Creative Photography - $1000 cash
People’s Choice – $500 cash
Children’s Art
Entries close on 30 September 2009.
Entry forms can be obtained by visiting the website:
www.robesouthernoceanartprize.com.au or by contacting
Art Prize Coordinator - Alex Graham
alex@smalltownproductons.com.au / 0421 388 080

A Day in Pompeii

These workshops are proving to be very popular. Several people who have attended one workshop have now booked in for others. Spaces are filling quickly, so please book your spot now. Call (03) 9882 0055.
ISS Institute is delighted to work with Melbourne Museum to assemble a team of renowned professionals to bring to life A Day in Pompeii exhibition through a series of workshops. Each workshop will comprise an illustrated lecture followed by a hands-on project. There will be ample opportunity for individual and group discussion.
The workshops comprise:
Courtyard Design Workshop with John Patrick • Sat 22 August, 2.00 – 5.30pm
Mosaic Workshop with David Jack • Thurs 3 Sept, 5.30 – 8.30pm or • Sat 12 Sept, 2.00 – 5.30pm
Fresco Painting Workshop with Sarah Tomasetti These workshops are booked out - but please advise if you are interested - we may run another workshop shortly.
Stone Carving Workshop with James Charlwood • Thurs 6 August, 5.30 – 8.30pm or • Sat 29 August, 2.00 – 5.30pm
Casting Workshop with James Charlwood • Saturday 15 August, 2.00 – 5.30pm

Bulleen Art and Garden

BAAG is offering a full program of workshops and exhibitions - to keep up with them you need to check their web site:
http://www.gallery.baag.com.au/
some of the workshops are:
• Mosaics - with Sandra Bain
• The Art of Bonsai With Bill Tainsh
• Limestone Sculpture with Jenny Whiteside
• Ceramic Sculpture with Meredith Plain

ISS Institute • Overseas Fellowships

apply now
...or forward onto those who you think may be interested.
AgriFood Skills International Fellowship
Two Fellowships available
Closing Date - 7th September 2009
The George Alexander Foundation/ISS Institute Fellowship
One Fellowship available
Closing Date - 12th October 2009
The Pratt Foundation/ISS Institute Overseas Fellowship
Four Fellowships available
Closing Date - 26 October 2009
Skills Victoria (TAFE)/ISS Institute Fellowships
Eight Fellowships available
Closing Date - 19th October 2009
Skills Victoria (TAFE)/ Italy (Veneto) ISS Institute Fellowships
Two Fellowships available
Closing Date - 19th October 2009
Find out more about ISSI on their website: http://issinstitute.org.au/

A Crisis is an Opportunity in Disguise

July’s monthly meeting was a treat - a talk by a couple of members whose work we see in exhibitions - and whose philosophies and sculpture experience we only guess about:
Suzanne Kaldor and Valda Cuming spoke about their work and their travels - overseas and in life.
Unfortunately Suzanne is no longer able to be our activities and meetings coordinator. What with everyone having busy to impossible lives, the usual crop of unwell family members, debts and commitments it’s a wonder anything gets done. Believe me I know! Well this is a task that can be broken down into small chunks and shared in a team: would you all consider taking on one month’s meeting/activity? I’m offering for September - it’s time to talk about Herring Island and get ready for the coming summer. By the same token October could well be used to look at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show - now is the time to volunteer to help. Now is the time to raise the thousand and one good ideas that could make the show better. November??? Well what have you always wanted to find out and thought that someone else might know? Ask them to talk about it! And then a Christmas party to plan.
The main thing is: just do it! Jenny Rickards (again)

Bush fires and DGR status

Some of us live in bush fire prone areas and are looking at predictions for next summer with some trepidation. Life is tough out there in the real world. So sweep up those inflammable shavings.
I’ve been considering plans for our show at Herring Island next year - and recalling that last year February 7th’s extreme weather closed the gallery for the day. The idea forming is to use a river cruise event as a fund raiser to support community arts in the fire affected area. Through Arts Victoria I’ve contacted the Murrindindi Arts Recovery Project Officer - she operates out of home, her car, wherever she can using mobile phone and shaky mobile Internet - talk about sharing the pain! At any rate Marilyn is sending us a wish list - probably from the Kinglake Art Alliance so that we will know how we can help.
Hopefully by the time I’ve put the plans together we’ll have our board administering the public fund and we can formally consider the project. At this stage I need feedback from the members - would you support this?

Jenny Rickards 9836 2738

News from Rudi Jass

Another sculpture Rudi Jass made for Av Jennings was finally installed last month at “The Chase” development in Berrick.

Did Somebody Open a Can of Worms?

Once upon a time the ASV committee members got on pretty well - we had agreed that changing the constitution was a bit hard and what we really needed to do was figure out what we wanted to achieve, discuss it with the members and then get on with it. So whilst our constitution allowed for full and associate memberships for sculptors, we decided that all sculptors were equal in membership and got on with the job.
Then some well meaning people came along and said - let’s sort this out - oh dear!
Well it’s a long hard journey for everyone - and in the end we’ll probably end up doing much as we have been for the past 6 or so years just because this is what we do.
Some of the issues I had with the constitution proposed to the members in 2008 have been sorted out by the various government authorities - the settlement of disputes by mediation is a particular one. And the reminder that we need a board in charge of our public fund.
The ASV is a volunteer run organisation - of and for the members. We all need to take on tasks and the committee cannot manage as a remote, autonomous body.
In my case I am currently web site coordinator, newsletter editor and Herring Island Coordinator - and I am doing this for the sculptors not for “the committee”. (And I wouldn’t mind some help) If the members don’t want me to do the job the way I have been doing it then we need to talk - if they seriously don’t like what I do then I will walk.
We need to stop considering criticism as a problem but rather as a way of moving forward. We need to learn: from our mistakes, from discussion, from comments and from considering our motivation.
“The committee” has looked in our Statement of Purposes and decided that we don’t need to be sculptors to support the purposes - probably the constitution for Rotary could be interpreted the same way - but if you change the membership requirements of Rotary would it still be Rotary?
These notes are purely personal and have not been edited nor authorised by the committee. I trust that members will vote or appoint proxies at the AGM according to their conscience and I will take note of your decisions.

Jenny Rickards 9836 2738