President's Letter and Editor's Quote

Sculpture is the art of the hole and the lump. Auguste Rodin

Many sculptors are rolling from the indoor exhibition at McClelland Gallery to our outdoor exhibition in the Carlton Gardens for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

We have had a presence at MIFGS since its inception in 1996. This reflects the understanding between MIFGS and sculptors on the role of art in people’s gardens and lives. This is a match made, not in heaven, but on earth, where we all find solace in cultivating nature in a garden (or a plant pot) and in matching the living landscape with a sculpture that expresses our relationship with nature. Put your entries in people!

1.             Entry Information and Conditions of Entry
2.             Entry Form
3.             Payment of Entry Fees

And we shall see you and your work in front of 100,000 people. Speaking of our audience: the McClelland exhibition was really well received - we fielded well over 600 votes in the people’s choice award with a wide spread of favourites:

Aaron Jones "Sentinel"

Congratulations to Aaron Jones - the sculptor whose work "Sentinel" was the People's Choice favourite in the 2024 exhibition Form + Philosophy in the Sarah and Baillieu Myer Pavilion at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery.

A random selection from amongst the voters (both online and on paper) has given one lucky person a Bunnings voucher - already sent! Congratulations also to the runners- up in the People's Choice vote - Chris Anderson with Elusive Platypus and Todd Stuart for Octopus Duo

Chris Anderson
"Elusive Platypus"

John Bishop made a post exhibition sale through the online exhibition. The purchaser enquired and John confirmed that work was available, then the purchaser paid through the website and John delivered the work. Do record the online exhibition web address of your work in case you happen to sell that way. Back in the old days, when the exhibition commission was payable for three months after the close of an exhibition it all made perfect sense - these days when you are likely to put the work in another show as soon as it leaves the first one… not so much… but it’s nice to have the option. Anyone who needs the link to their work from the McClelland show (and can’t find it themselves) should contact jennyrickards@sculptorsvictoria.asn.au.

Todd Stuart
"Octopus Duo"

I did get comments during the McClelland exhibition that we didn’t need so many sitters on at any one time - but you enjoyed talking to one another as well as to our lovely visitors? Every exhibition is an opportunity to interact with fellow humans on a journey - and what a rich one it was at McClelland!

Greg Johns

Geoffrey Riccardo

Part of the president’s job, in any community, is to encourage members to participate. Well why did I join? To be part of a community of sculptors - inspiring one another, urging each to seek in the arts: form, philosophy and passion for art. We do need to be organised - a bit - as much as an association of sculptors can be. So the vital roles of president, treasurer, secretary, newsletter editor and publicity team, exhibition coordinators etc. come into play.

We rely on volunteers to fill these roles and to understand how important they are to the whole group. Does a person actually need to be a sculptor to fulfil these roles? Not always - friends and family have at various times served as treasurer and public officer. They’ve enjoyed being involved with the people and the art and the feeling of accomplishment - often in learning new skills and always in making a difference. To inspire you - we hope that you’ll take note of the dates for committee meetings and attend online when you can, to understand who we are and what we do… and hopefully be inspired to help with the work - many hands get the job done and friendship makes it enjoyable.

I’m looking forward to meeting you at MIFGS and really looking forward to seeing your work.

Jenny Rickards, President