The inaugural sculpture competition ‘It’s a Small World’, the brainchild of Jen Diver, has taken flight with 47 artists on display at the Newstead Arts Hub.
Entrants have used a huge variety of mediums in their unique and skilful interpretations of the theme. It’s difficult to abstain from touching the carefully crafted works created from textiles, bronze, ceramics, timbers, felt, found materials and even sound and light, making the exhibition a true delight for the senses.
Guest judges Kareen Anchen from Cascade Art and local sculptor Sam Deal were faced with the challenging task of selecting one winner from the diverse range of sculptures.
Catherine O’Leary’s was chosen as the winner for her entry ‘Turn sideways into the light and disappear’, which utilised wet felt making, wool, silk and print.
“My work is inspired by the people close to me. Many of my pieces are biographical in nature,” Catherine said.
“The theme, It’s a Small World, can be interpreted in many ways and I related it to living in the world.”
Indija N. Mahjoeddin was chosen as the winner of the $500 prize for emerging artists for her piece entitled ‘Muat’ created in porcelain.
Indija has a background as a writer and performer and Sumatran dance researcher. She is self taught in ceramics and sculpture and works mostly with small, porcelain talismans.
“They teeter between whimsy and the macabre and are intended to dissemble the panacea of reason,” she said.
Her work features interconnected figures burgeoning forth from a matrix that both binds, and is swamped by, the clamouring appendages of humanity. ‘Muar’ contemplates our interdependence and exploitative pressures on the global ecosystem.
Kareen and Sam offered commendation to Larissa Gray for her piece ‘Storm Brewing’ and Jim Roberts for his piece ‘Every stone is a microcosm of its world’.
This temporary exhibition will be showcased until April 9 at Newstead Arts Hub: 8A Tivey Street, Newstead. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.
