The third annual Tesselaar Sculpture Prize opened on 16 September with the exhibition of sculpture by 31 finalists. Included in the number of high-profile sculptors are 16 ASV members exhibiting their works in a unique and abundantly colourful landscape. All
exhibiting finalists are to be congratulated.
This year’s judge, Anton Hasell, had a very difficult task to undertake when he visited the exhibition the before the opening of the Tulip Festival. As Dr Hasell remarked in his judge’s report, “Of course selecting a single work to be added to the Tesselaar sculpture collection was difficult. The viewing public are sure to be as amazed and impressed as I was at the flights of invention and highly-skilled and loving-labour each artist has made visible in their sculpture.”
Dr Hasell submitted a very detailed report outlining his considerations and ultimate decision on the winner of the $7,500 Acquisitive Award. The final section of his report stated:
“I would like to highly commend two works that resonate with my experience of the tulip garden exhibition. They are the seductively surfaced work, Tula, by Diane Thompson and the sensitively forged mild steel and vivacious sculpture, Collective Unconscious #2, by Luke Rogers. I have selected for the Tesselaar Sculpture Prize 2010 Don Barrett’s five piece
moulded concrete Desert Dwellers. My selection is in response to the rich tactile surfaces, the forms that echo shapes to be found in the tulip flower itself and the earth colours that are as warm and variegated as the soils in which these tulips grow. I would have selected this work had only one of the elements been present, instead of the five pieces installed, because this bold and confident treatment of form and material pays a deep homage to these vibrant and fresh gardens. A homage inspired by, and guardian to, the gorgeous tulip flower.”
The Tulip Festival closes on Wednesday 13 October, so if you can arrange the time I suggest you get along and view some wonderful original works in a range of styles and media. Full details of the Tulip Festival program can be located at www.tesselaar.net.au A full copy of the report is available on request.
Mark Cowie
Curator
Tesselaar Sculpture Prize
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