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.

The May Meeting

The May Meeting


The May meeting of the ASV was held in the Newport studio of the well-known sculptor Robert Hague on Wednesday 21st.


Members were well aware that they were not only going to see the works of a highly accomplished sculptor in metal, but a multi talented artist with a high standard of works in drawing, draughtsman ship, print making and a new venture in ceramics.


Robert was generous with his time and advice, and at the start, to put us at our ease, made it clear that he did not have any formal training in art or design or even a formal training or trade ticket in welding. Growing up in New Zealand Robert was probably influenced by his father’s hobby in sculpture. At any rate he knew at an early age that he wanted to be an artist, and in fact sold his first piece, a painting and won an art prize at age 16. He left New Zealand for Australia and worked in a variety of media including plaster casting and photography, then travelled to London for a year before returning to Australia, settling in Sydney, where he established a studio. A year later he began exhibiting at a gallery run by the brother of famous sculptor Ron Robertson –Swann, remembered for the Vault otherwise known as the Yellow Peril sculpture in Melbourne. Through this gallery contact Robert came into contact with the work and writings of many sculptors including David Smith and Anthony Caro whom he later met in London. A switch to Stella Downers Gallery gave him greater exposure and he came to the attention of the Lister Calder Gallery in Perth. This gave Robert his opportunity to break into the art world in a big way. His first exhibition at this gallery in 2003 sold all 30 sculptures on the opening day. This made him very popular with other gallery owners and many more exhibitions followed.


Robert as he said, "stopped welding up gates and repairing trailers and started making sculpture 15 years ago". With two children under 10 he admits it was tough going to succeed.


Robert was very grateful for the opportunities he has had to meet and learn from prominent sculptors, many of whom he considers his personal friends.


He once said, "Life as a sculptor, is frequently imagined to be physically demanding and financially perilous, and it is. But more it is an intellectual journey, where ideas count more than technical proficiency and where intellectual adventure remains paramount."


Robert spoke about the intellectual journey his sculpture is taking him on which is in a period of metamorphosis, leading into more contemporary areas by incorporating LED lights, beacon lights on tall sculpture, high speed camera shots of ceramic hammers being shattered, paying more attention to plinths as altars for art, and as he put it, "stumbling from one thing to another along the way".


Robert was enthusiastic about the value to artists of developing a theme, which could give them direction to their work and provide the motivation to express the theme in new ways and in new media. His Trojan hammer theme is a powerful example of his focus and features prominently in his drawings, prints and ceramics, being depicted as balloons, bombers, birds and abstract shapes, examples of which were on display in his studio.


Robert stressed the importance of safety, well being and comfort in the workplace, which many of us who are not full time artists tend to pay only lip service to, hoping to avoid the consequences of cumulative damage. He pointed out the large evaporative air cooler in the ceiling, which provides continuous cool positive air pressure, and the large flexible elephant trunk air exhaust hose he can easily move to eliminate a dust source. He pointed out the fact that always wearing gloves has kept his hands in good condition. To protect his lungs he wears a full 3M face mask fitted with disposable #6056 particle filters, which is comfortable to use, does not fog up and gives him some eye protection also. He always wears the highest grade earmuffs as well as earplugs when grinding and polishing, and consequently can enjoy his quality sound system to the fullest in his reflective moments. The studio built around a 1940’s shed is acoustically secure both in walls and ceilings. Which means he can use his 9-inch grinder at 2 in the morning without waking the neighbours, or family!


Robert invited members to his next exhibition which will be held in mid September 2014 at the Fehily Contemporary gallery, 3a Glasshouse Road, Collingwood. (Melways 44 C 6)



Report by Gordon Robertson



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