David Ball’s rustic sculpture. Photo: David Ball website.
‘Sculpture for Clyde’ opened over the weekend leaving the winning artists more than a few thousand dollars richer.
Now in its third year, Sculpture for Clyde is an increasingly popular festival and is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the region, spanning two venues in Batemans Bay and Bawley Point.
Southern Highlands architectural and landscape sculptor David Ball won the $50,000 acquisitive award with his steel sculpture ‘Fractured 2’, which will soon take its place along the Clyde River foreshore with previous winners.
Many of Ball’s hand made sculptures have rusted finishes and contrast with the natural world. “My heart lies squarely in the landscape and this is my playground,” he explains.
Winning sculpture ‘Fractured 2’, David Ball. Photo: Sculpture for Clyde.
David considers every angle of his sculptures. “I tend to work classically “, he says, “I believe sculpture should command and relate to a space and work completely in the round, offering differing experiences from all angles, structure and poetry in one.”
Internationally renowned artists R.M. (Ron) Gomboc took out the $10,000 major award with his sculpture “Family”. Gomboc’s work can be seen across Australia, most recently at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2019 and Bondi 2018.
R.M. (Ron) Gomboc, Time and Motion, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo: Jessica Wyld.
St Peters Anglican School student Shari Cuthbert won the student sculpture award with ‘Wings’ and the emerging Amanda Harrison scored the indoor prize with ‘Head in the Stars’. The emerging outdoor sculpture prize went to Edward Willson with ‘Inner Respect’.
Haruyuki Uchida’s Red Balance Beam, Photo: Supplied.
The number of sculptures on display has increased by 30% compared to 2018.
The indoor sculpture exhibition is being staged in the Francis Guy heritage building, in Batemans Bay. The outdoor sculptures are on display at Willinga Park, Bawley Point, which also boasts the impressive private sculpture collection of Terry Snow, featuring internationally and nationally celebrated artists.
The stunning Willinga Park gardens add to the spectacle, along with hourly bus tours of the world-class Equestrian Centre.
Shannon Hobbs’ – Octavio. Photo: Supplied.
If visiting the Batemans Bay venue, visitors can also stroll along the foreshore where they will discover five permanent sculptures that have been installed since the inaugural event in 2017.
These include:
- ‘Duet’ by Dora Rognvaldsdottir – Clyde Street
- ‘Bouyansea’ by Jesse Graham – Beach Road
- ‘Dance’ by Haruyuki Uchida – Spinnaker Reach
- ‘Pelicant’ by Jesse Graham – Batemans Bay Marina
- ‘Portal’ by John Fitzmaurice – at the end of Mara Mia Walkway
These last two sculptures were crowd favourites at last year’s exhibition and were purchased after the event with local donations and crowdfunding.
The town’s permanent Sculpture Walk is the real driver behind the Sculpture for Clyde event. The goal is to create a legacy for locals and visitors to Batemans Bay, with a 3D, outdoor art gallery, open year-round.
The event is also supported by a Student Sculpture Walk. Sculptures created by local students are currently on display in shopfronts throughout the Batemans Bay CBD.
Sculpture for Clyde is open weekends from 10am to 4 pm, and weekdays from 11 am to 3 pm. Tickets are $5, purchased online or at the gate, and bus tours are $5, paid at the venue. See the indoor exhibition at the Francis Guy heritage building on Clyde Street, Batemans Bay and the 0utdoor at Willinga Park, Bawley Point.
Tickets available HERE. Exhibition guide can be found HERE
Sculpture for Clyde, on now at Willinga Park. Photo: Supplied.
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