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.

From the New President

With the Annual General Meeting behind us we are not only close to the end of the calendar year but also the end of our business year. The Christmas Party, our main social function, remains the only event before we meet again in 2008. This time in the Association’s year is a natural point at which to pause in a busy schedule to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. The Acting President, Michael Meszaros, dealt with the former in his comprehensive report to the AGM while the latter falls to me as your new President.

Unknown to a good many members, I thought a few words of introduction might be in order. I was a member of the association some years ago but allowed my membership to lapse on account of other more pressing matters that occupied my time for several years. But I renewed my membership recently with a great deal of enthusiasm for the aims and objectives of the association.

I came to sculpture later in life than a good many practising sculptors. As a schoolboy raised in a family in which the arts played no part I found myself, surprisingly, always top in art which, in those days, seemed to consist of lettering, (my P for python was exemplary), mask making (I suspect to hide our grubby faces) and clay, with which I made the obscene or the ridiculous when the teacher’s back was turned. We never painted a picture or made a sculpture. In fact my interest in the arts extended more to the mercenary than the aesthetic or intellectual in that I raised pocket money by selling translations of Latin homework to the rich but not perhaps the bright; or did they have better things to do? I was a spotty-faced kid who was equally good (or bad) at everything, and in those days if you showed an aptitude for maths and science that’s what you went into. Consequently, like a good many ‘scientific’ people, I missed out on a formal arts education which therefore I gained informally through the experience and study of a lifetime. I do not envy the formally educated but only wish that I had had the opportunity to do arts and science, not one or the other.

While I have been a closet painter all my life, sculpture with its grander scale, greater demands on time and limitless absorption of money eluded me until a few years ago. Now I spend nearly all my time at it.

In our association are many people who received formal training, others who gained their knowledge and experience throughout their lives and some who, when they join us, have only a keen desire to learn. This is the strength of our association. One in which the basic qualification for membership is a desire to be ‘in sculpture’. Young and old, formally qualified or not, all are welcome. We give opportunity for the naïve to learn from the experienced no matter what their age or background so that all can develop their practice to a level that suits them. The free interchange of intellectual knowledge and practical skills is essential to a healthy organisation.

With an enthusiastic membership and a management dedicated to its aims and objectives our association can only thrive and prosper. Both of these we have. The year ahead will include general meetings at which speakers will introduce us to topics pertinent to the art of sculpture, visits to the studios of members who will open their doors to explain the mysteries of their creative processes, and social functions in which pleasantries and gossip will be exchanged in a family atmosphere. Three very public exhibitions are planned at which we can promote the art of sculpture to the wider community.

I look forward to working with your talented, dedicated and enthusiastic committee to bring you all these things and develop the association further. In the meantime I hope to meet as many of you as possible at the end-of-year lunchtime barbecue on Sunday, the 9th of December at 20 England Street, East Bentleigh.

I wish you all health, happiness and good sculpting in the year ahead.

John Wooller, President.

ASV dates to remember

  • Wednesday 5th December Committee meeting
  • Sunday 9th December Christmas Party BBQ lunch 12 noon, at Gillian Govan's place: 20 England St, East Bentleigh 3165 (9579 1221) Melway 77J2. Please bring chairs, meat and your happy selves. Also if anyone wants to bring salad or desert please ring Gillian on 9579 1221
  • Friday 4th January 2008 Entries for Herring Island Summer Exhibition due to 34 Moorhouse Street Camberwell 3124
  • Saturday 26th January to Monday 28th January 2008 Australia Day events on Herring Island
  • Friday 1st February 2008 9:30am set up Herring Island exhibition
  • Friday 1st February 2008 Gala Preview Herring Island Exhibition bookings Florence on the Yarra 9682 2600

  • Wednesday 13th February 2008 ASV monthly meeting - venue and speaker to be advised
  • Friday 15th February 2008 Entries for MIF&GS 2008 due to 39 Turnley Street Balwyn North 3104

Apology

We apologise for an error in transposition of wording in an article submitted by Dr Adeney published in the news letter entitled "A Sculptor's Moral Rights" of the last newsletter. The second paragraph of the section on 'Right of Attribution' should have read:
'The right to have your sculpture exhibited under your name;'
This error has been corrected in the website version.

Opportunities for Sculptors

Hi there, could you please let your artists know of the Toorak Festival of Sculpture 2008 - 'CALLING FOR ENTRIES'. Download entry details from www.tooraksculpture.com.au or call Tracey on 0438 542 713. Show runs from 1 to 31 May 2008. Entry closes 1 Jan 08. We are wanting medium sized works for interior window display & larger very robust exterior work for exhibiting along Toorak Road. Consultant Curator is Malcolm Thomson.

Tracey Cammock

NB.: Michael Meszaros also has entry forms 9853 9610

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Hobsons Bay Council are advertising a $70,000 project called the 'Laverton Gateway.' For information phone Tania Blackwell on 9932 1000 or email tblackwell@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Submissions to be in by Jan. 31st.

We are writing from The Cradle Project www.thecradleproject.org in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are trying to put together an art installation of 1000 cradles made of scrap materials by artists from all over the world. The purpose of the installation is to raise money for orphans in Sub -Saharan Africa. We are still seeking artists to participate in this compassionate project. The website included has all of the necessary information. We hope that you will consider contributing your creative efforts towards this installation.

If there are any further questions that you would like to talk to a person, please feel free to call us.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Cathy Wysocki & Wayne Hopkins

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The Wellard Joint Venture Partners are seeking expressions of interest form artists for the creation of a series of major public artworks within the village at Wellard Estate. Public art will play a key role in establishing identity and enhancing the public realm within the village. For further information and a detailed brief contact EPCAD Landscape Architects: 02 9481 4410 or email robin@epcad.com.au by
19 December 2007.

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Wangaratta Current Sculpture Biennial 2008 - 15th to 24th March

$10,000 acquisitive outdoor sculpture prize, $2,500 ephemeral award (non-acquisitive)

Also there is a “current sculpture challenge” – performance sculpture event. Michael Meszaros has a bundle of entry forms but it is probably better to get them from the organisers.

www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au, email: m.mcgann@wangaratta.vic.gov.au, Maz McGann (03) 5722 0762

Entries close 23rd January 2008

Michael Meszaros

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Mt. Buller Sculpture Prize,
Entries are to be in by 19th Dec.
Contact Anne Walters at PO, Mt. Buller, Vic 3723
Ph 03 5777 6077
anne@mtbuller.com.au

Michael Meszaros

From the AGM

The full minutes and reports will be made available separately

REPORTS RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED:

President's report, Treasurer's report, membership and exhibition reports for Herring Island 2007, MIF&GS 2007 and Annual and Awards Exhibition 2006 (with comments from 2007).

MOTIONS:

That the committee review and set the fees for 2007-8. Passed.

ELECTON OF OFFICE BEARERS FOR 2008

President: John Wooller

Treasurer: Patrick Culshaw

Public Officer: Patrick Culshaw

Vice President: Geoff Williams

Immediate Past President and telephone contact: Michael Meszaros

Secretary (minutes): Geoff Williams

Activities: Gillian Govan

Membership: Ronit Freedman

Publicity: Meredith Plain

Web contact and newsletter: Jenny Rickards

Annual Exhibition: position vacant

Herring Island Exhibition: Jenny Rickards

MIF&GS: Bronwyn Culshaw

Guest Speaker at the Last Meeting

Speaker: Darren McNicholas, of Dalchem www.dalchem.com.au

Darren described the development of silicone polymers in the 1940s. He described a wide spectrum of uses, extending to fabric softeners for towels and antifoam in beer making, but primarily focused on silicone rubber RTV2 moulding compounds.

The silicone moulding rubber is marketed today as a two-part product (base compound and catalyst) to be mixed together. The products fall into two categories:

  1. polycondensation cure: tin is used as a catalyst, goggles should be worn, and it is not food safe;

  2. addition cure: platinum is used as a catalyst. Some of these are food-safe and skin-safe.

Cure time is usually 12-24 hours.

Examples of commercial applications were passed around.

Darren warned sculptors:

  • to allow for 0.5% shrinkage with polycondensation RTV2’s;

  • moulds need to be properly sealed (vegetable oils, vaseline, petroleum jelly or commercial release agents) as silicon sticks to itself strongly;

  • Addition curing moulding rubbers will be inhibited if the silicone comes into contact with any sulphur containing compounds before or during curing.

An interesting demonstration was made in about 10 minutes of making a green silicon mould of a small skull, in two parts, with interlocking projections (keys). It was suggested large moulds would need support material such as a plaster or fibre-glass case. It was also mentioned that the addition of fibres to silicone would allow bonding of the silicone mould to a case. Eg: chopped strand fiberglass, Hessian etc.

Michael Meszaros commented on the wide range of materials that could be poured into silicon moulds, including polyurethane; plaster; gypsum; low melt alloys such as pewter, tin and lead.

Comment was made that the range of heat tolerance may be over 200 degC

Comment was also made that the life of a silicone mould may be prolonged considerably by washing with warm soapy water, and aerosol release agents.

Gillian provided examples of the range of instructional books available:

  • The Alchemy of Sculpture by Tony Birkes

  • Casting in Ciment Fondu by E Folkard

  • The Polyester Resin Booklet – Alec Tiranti Ltd

  • Plaster Waste Moulding Casting and Life Casting – Alec Tiranti Ltd

  • The Encyclopaedia of Sculpting Techniques by J Plowman (Quarto Publishing 1995)

Report by Geoff Williams, evening organised by Gillian Govan

New Members

The ASV welcomes the following new members:

Rev Eric Roy Mann, Vivian Parry, Rodford Belcher. Welcome one and all - we look forward to seeing you at meetings and your work at exhibitions.

Ronit Freedman, Membership Secretary

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2008

The 2008 Exhibition is going to be quite spectacular. We are delighted to have as our judge Peter Blizzard OAM.

Bronwyn is insuring that many of our most exciting sculptors will be exhibiting.

The exhibition site extends from the fountain right down to our previous boundary at the Rathdowne Street path.

The management of MIFGS (as it is affectionately known), the International Marketing Group, have expressed their desire to include on our exhibition site – a range of sculptures by eminent Australian sculptors to present as a treat to the 200,000 members of the public who visit this exhibition each year.

We are in the process of inviting them.

We already have some eminent sculptors amongst our members be are extending invitations to non-members.

Please make sure that you are exhibiting in this exciting scenario too. We want you!

Report from Bronwyn Culshaw, ASV-MIF&GS Coordinator

Extracts from the NAVA newsletter

Festivals Australia- Call for Applications

All States | Deadline: 15 Feburuary, 2008

Festivals Australia provides funding assistance to Australian regional and community festivals for the presentation of quality projects. Funding is available to add a new or special sort of cultural activity that has never been included in the festival before and could not otherwise be afforded.

Festivals Australia Regional Residencies provides assistance to regional and remote communities that wish to 'tell a local story or express a local theme', at a local festival or major community celebration. Funding is available to engage an artist in residence to work with community participants to help them develop an arts project on a local or regional theme and present it publicly at the festival or celebration.

Contact Phone: 02 6271 1922 Lois Wishart Lindsay

Contact Email: festivals.australia@dcita.gov.au

Disarming The Gatekeepers: Revolution or Backward Step?

SA | 6 March, 2008

Hosted by NAVA and Arts Law as part of Artists' Week at the 2008 Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts

Visual arts and craft/design professionals are operating in an increasingly regulated environment, from copyright and anti-terrorism legislation to industry codes of practice.

The two sessions in this forum will address how regulation can help or hinder artists and arts institutions; how other industries use regulation to advantage and where the visual arts either needs, or should oppose, regulation.

Speakers are Prof. Jon Altman, ANU; Daniel Boyd, artist; Julie Copeland, ABC Radio National; James Dodd, artist; Michael Keighery, artist; and Commissioner John Martin from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner. The forum is funded by Arts SA and will be chaired by Delwyn Everard, Arts Law and Tamara Winikoff, NAVA.

The sessions have been structured so there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion from the floor. Papers from the sessions will be made available to the industry and government through NAVA, and will inform NAVA's future policy and regulatory work.

When: Thurs March 6, 2008 10am - 1:30pm

Web address: http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/ and http://www.visualarts.net.au

NAVA hit the ground running after the Federal Election:

The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) today welcomed and congratulated the incoming Labor government, pledging its commitment to work with the new Arts Minister to strengthen the Australian visual arts sector’s contribution to the cultural life of the country.

NAVA’s Executive Director Tamara Winikoff said, “Labor has opened new areas of possible development in its broad-ranging plans for the future of the arts in Australia.”

Among their priorities, we hope to see the new Prime Minister and other members of the government, champion the cause of the arts and its vital contribution to expression of a national identity of which we all can be proud,” Winikoff said.

After years of disappointment, finally Australian visual artists will see one of their long held ambitions realised, with the introduction of the Artists Resale Royalty Scheme. This will bring them into parity with artists in England, across the whole European Union and a number of other parts of the world.

As part of Labor’s Education Revolution, putting ‘visuacy’ on a par with literacy and numeracy would recognise the reality of communication in the 21st century. Technology has radically changed the way we connect with one another and transmit and interpret ideas and information,” Winikoff said. “When it is finalised, we look forward to discussing with both Education and Arts Ministers, their response to the recommendations of the National Review of Visual Education & commitment to the Education and the Arts Statement”.

NAVA believes that the current version of sedition law poses a considerable threat to artists’ freedom of expression. It asks that the new Attorney General not only removes the word ‘sedition’, but also makes all the changes recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission.

As an important support mechanism for artists trying to build their careers, NAVA strongly endorses the proposed ArtStart social security scheme to change the way Centrelink deals with artists.

Labor’s commitments to funding for the Indigenous Art Centres is a most welcome promise. In partnership with Desart and ANKAAA, NAVA will be seeking further support for bringing their work to practical application on the Indigenous Australia Art Commercial Code of Conduct,” continued Winikoff.

In terms of other financial commitments, NAVA will be looking for $3 million per annum for the payment of artists’ fees for work exhibited public galleries in order to properly remunerate artists for making their work available to the community at no cost.

NAVA also calls for an annual allocation of $4 million for smaller arts organisations to keep pace with technological developments in on-line management, communication & information systems.

There are many good ideas in Labor’s arts policy and we look forward to helping them take effect,” commented Winikoff.

For media comment contact Merrilee Kessler - ph: (02) 9368 1900

Members' Exhibitions and News

Some members are exhibiting with the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc. in their ART AT BURNLEY HARBOUR 2007, SATURDAY 1 & SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER, EXHIBITION HOURS: 10am - 6pm Saturday; 8am-6pm Sunday. LOCATION: BURNLEY HARBOUR, RICHMOND, MELBOURNE. This is the 4th such exhibition and is the biggest so far.

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Again this month Bulleen Art and Garden is host to sculpture exhibitions, workshops and great environmental projects and awards. Check out their web site at www.baag.com.au.

Letters to the Editor

I had the good fortune to go to Sydney to see the 'Sculpture on the Beach' at Bondi. Not only was I really impressed with the work I was delighted to see the variety of people also enjoying the experience. Children of 4 and 5 making interesting and interested comments to Senior folk accepting the changes taking place in the world of sculpture. I have also had feedback from friends who really enjoyed the sculpture on the beach at Lorne. Sculpture is certainly making its mark in the community.

Gillian Govan

Services and Supplies Directory

Fay Gerber has been checking entries and updating the current print version of the services and supplies directory. A marathon task - thank you Fay. Helen Clancy will take over now - she has an Internet connection and will be able to liaise with Patrick Taylor to update the online version of the directory. After that we'll be able to issue a new edition of the print version – thank you to everyone who is contributing. Members should note that you can add suppliers to the directory at any time by going through the website or to the directory directly on http://www.francistaylor.com/directory/

Newsletter

Please send information and ideas for the newsletter to Jenny Rickards jennyrickards@sculptorsvictoria.asn.au. The date for collation for information for the newsletter is preferably the 15th of the month, but I can accept items until the 20th - after that it has to be urgent to be included.

All the best

Jenny