Curator’s Report MIFGS 2015
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| Early morning at MIFGS 2015 |
The level of interest displayed by the tens of thousands of viewers of the 107 sculptures at this year’s ASV MIFGS Sculpture Exhibition was extraordinary and a testament to the myriad of creative endeavours among ASV members and fellow sculptors. At the close of the exhibition almost 20% (17) of all works had been sold, creating sales of almost $28,000.
The level of interest in the exhibition resulted in thousands upon thousands of votes for the People’s Choice Award being lodged over the five days, which was an excellent effort given some of the inclement weather early in the week. The extent and spread of the voting across the entire range and categories of sculptures reveals the extent and manner in which three-dimensional art and objects engage viewers and their imaginations.
The recipient of this year’s $500 People’s Choice Award – sponsored by the International Management Group is Michelle Day for her beautifully crafted and intricate work, ‘Mosaic Turtle’. Congratulations Michelle. This work certainly attracted a great deal of interest among the viewing public.
Completing the top five people’s choices were: Damian Bateson’s assembled stone ‘Embark’, Todd Stuart’s beautifully cast and patinated bronze ‘Rat Race’, Eva Ermer’s homage to Catalano ‘Missing Pieces’, and Rob Bast’s chainsawed ‘Defiant’.
Ongoing audiences were treated to hands-on demonstrations conducted by carvers, ceramicists and other artisans displaying their skills.
JUDGING RESULTS SCULPTURE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW 2015
SECTION 1 CARVED WORK (ANY MEDIUM)
HIGHLY COMMENDED Betty Collier: Rhythmic Flow
Rhythmic Flow demonstrates a great understanding of line and contrasting positive negative spaces. Again the natural material has been respected, worked with and enhanced by fine finishing.
2nd PRIZE John Bishop: Bloom # 4
This sculpture is a great example of beauty in simplicity. Gently tapering and with a subtle twist in the shape the sculpture allows the natural stone to speak. The contrasting surfaces and the standard of finish demonstrates a high level of competency in this medium.
1ST PRIZE Gavin Roberts: Polished Flower
The sculpture Polished Flower captivated me as soon as I saw it and I kept being drawn back to it. I loved that the beautifully worked, heavy stone seems to defy gravity. The long, stamen-like metal rod protruding from the stone is a nice counter-balance and the delicate red-gum bird sitting atop of it sets off the piece.
HIGHLY COMMENDED Gillian Govan: Grace
Grace is a reflective, balanced sculpture which is well-modelled and presented. The finish of the base and stand complement the bronze.
Rat Race is a clever and witty piece which made me both smile and grimace. For me it drove home a social phenomena; we are so often caught up by greed or need to succeed at the expense of living life in a fulfilling and meaningful way. This sculpture has a beautiful patina which enhances the piece, as does the attention to detail.
This sculpture is one of the finest examples of mosaic design and execution I have come across. The treatment of the shell captivated me. The gemstones, fossils and reclaimed objects incorporated in the intricate design create an amazing jewel-like effect. Recently I saw a documentary on the ABC about endangered Queensland sea-turtles. This sculpture made me think of the preciousness of these creatures.
HIGHLY COMMENDED Mark Cowie: Balancing Opposites
I was very impressed with the high-level of design and execution of this piece. The predatory bird in flight is communicated well by the lines and angles of the sculpture. This is further enhanced by the superb base, also angled, reinforcing the forward thrust of the sculpture.
The level of interest in the exhibition resulted in thousands upon thousands of votes for the People’s Choice Award being lodged over the five days, which was an excellent effort given some of the inclement weather early in the week. The extent and spread of the voting across the entire range and categories of sculptures reveals the extent and manner in which three-dimensional art and objects engage viewers and their imaginations.
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| Bob Bast "Defiant" |
Completing the top five people’s choices were: Damian Bateson’s assembled stone ‘Embark’, Todd Stuart’s beautifully cast and patinated bronze ‘Rat Race’, Eva Ermer’s homage to Catalano ‘Missing Pieces’, and Rob Bast’s chainsawed ‘Defiant’.
Ongoing audiences were treated to hands-on demonstrations conducted by carvers, ceramicists and other artisans displaying their skills.
Mark Cowie
Curator, ASV MIFGS Sculpture Exhibition
Curator, ASV MIFGS Sculpture Exhibition
You can see our article on Judge Gael O'Leary here.
JUDGING RESULTS SCULPTURE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW 2015
SECTION 1 CARVED WORK (ANY MEDIUM)
HIGHLY COMMENDED Betty Collier: Rhythmic Flow
2nd PRIZE John Bishop: Bloom # 4
This sculpture is a great example of beauty in simplicity. Gently tapering and with a subtle twist in the shape the sculpture allows the natural stone to speak. The contrasting surfaces and the standard of finish demonstrates a high level of competency in this medium.
1ST PRIZE Gavin Roberts: Polished Flower
CATEGORY 2 FORMED WORK MOULDINGS, CERAMICS, MOSAICS, CASTINGS ETC)
HIGHLY COMMENDED Gillian Govan: Grace
Grace is a reflective, balanced sculpture which is well-modelled and presented. The finish of the base and stand complement the bronze.
2nd PRIZE Todd Stuart: Rat Race
Rat Race is a clever and witty piece which made me both smile and grimace. For me it drove home a social phenomena; we are so often caught up by greed or need to succeed at the expense of living life in a fulfilling and meaningful way. This sculpture has a beautiful patina which enhances the piece, as does the attention to detail.
1ST PRIZE Michelle Day: Mosaic Turtle
This sculpture is one of the finest examples of mosaic design and execution I have come across. The treatment of the shell captivated me. The gemstones, fossils and reclaimed objects incorporated in the intricate design create an amazing jewel-like effect. Recently I saw a documentary on the ABC about endangered Queensland sea-turtles. This sculpture made me think of the preciousness of these creatures.
CATEGORY 3 FABRICATIONS (FABRICATED AND ASSEMBLED WORK, INSTALLATIONS, WELDED STEEL, MIXED MEDIA)
HIGHLY COMMENDED Mark Cowie: Balancing Opposites
Balancing Opposites is a well executed sculpture. The carefully thought out design elements complement and offset each other. There is a balance and harmony in the design with the successful use of mirror image elements. I also liked being able to see through the sculpture and find the horizontal and vertical lines in the piece echoed in the trees behind.
2nd PRIZE Damian Bateson: Embark
2nd PRIZE Damian Bateson: Embark
This sculpture is a great example of pure artistry and craftsmanship. The use of various shaped and coloured stones painstakingly placed and fitted together to suggest an upturned boat is both clever and contradictory. The materials seem at odd with the notion of flotation, but they work. The contrast of the slate and the smaller patterned base (or top) acts as a foil to the larger stone design. A beautifully executed work.
1st PRIZE Damian Vick: Hunter
1st PRIZE Damian Vick: Hunter
I was very impressed with the high-level of design and execution of this piece. The predatory bird in flight is communicated well by the lines and angles of the sculpture. This is further enhanced by the superb base, also angled, reinforcing the forward thrust of the sculpture.
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