A Sparkling Presentation Evening - MIFGS 2014

Instead of a red carpet the sculptors graced the plastic temporary footpath of the Central Boulevard of the Carlton Gardens. The mood was happy as would be expected of a well received exhibiton - we had made 9 sales by the close of business of the first day of the exhibition. The guest viewing of the exhibition took place after 4pm on Wednesday 26th March at the Gardens and then we all moved on to the East Imperial Restaurant to celebrate and to hear our Judge, Rod Sanders give his verdict on the prizes.

The exhibition is in three sections:

Carved Work - work in marble, timber, limestone and alabaster was shown. Carving generally takes the longest and is a more difficult skill - and this is reflected in the fact that there are twelve works in the section.



 

Jenny Whiteside "Amber"

Our judge's choice here was for First Prize Jenny Whiteside's "Amber" - a work in alabaster


Jenny Whiteside "Amber"

Jenny Whiteside "Amber"













Carmel Ritchie "Flowers"

Second in this section Rod placed Carmel Ritchie's limestone work "Flowers"

Kevin Free "Torso"

Kevin Free "Torso"

And one Highly Commended award was given for this section to Kevin Free for his limestone work "Torso"

 

The second section is devoted to formed work where the sculpture is modelled in a softer material and then fired or cast or coated as the material requires. There is a huge range of work shown from bronze to mosaic with a similar diversity of techniques and ideas.

Aleida Wright "Musicians"

Aleida Wright "Musicians"

 First prize in this section was given to Aleida Wright for her "Musicians" - a work in raku fired clay. As a musician himself Rod was interested to know what these three would be playing next.


Second prize went to Kay Steventon for her fairy tale "The Frog Prince" again a unique work in raku fired clay.




Kay Steventon "The Frog Prince"



Kay Steventon "The Frog Prince"

There were two Highly Commended awards made in this section: Todd Stuart's "Shhh.... Don't Tell Anyone" and silicone bronze and stainless steel and Graham Duell's "Elder" in fired terracotta clay.

Graham Duell "Elder"

Todd Stuart "Shhh.... Don't Tell Anyone"



The third section is devoted to assembled or fabricated work - here the artist can indulge in scale at a price unobtainable in other techniques - and can incorporate recycled materials and found objects to their heart's content.

Mark Cowie "Somewhere Out in the Universe"

First Prize in this section went to Mark Cowie for his "Somewhere Out in the Universe". This work is made from mild steel and red gum.


Todd Stuart "Organic Pebble"

Second Prize was awarded to Todd Stuart for his polished stainless steel "Organic Pebble".





 Rod Sanders awarded three High Commendations in this section:
to Lawrence Marshall for his cutlery "Wake Up Call",

Lawrence Marshall "Wake Up Call"

to Alastair Mason for his recycled metal work "Chook Chaser" and to Rudi Jass for his Cosmos #2 in Corten and stainless steel.


Alastair Mason "Chook Chaser"

Rudi Jass "Cosmos#2"

Acknowledgements are owed to our curator Mark Cowie, to the support of IMG - the organisers of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, the committee of the Association of Sculptors of Victoria and the volunteers who worked to make it happen, to Bulleen Art and Garden who sponsor prizes and have this year and for the past few years supported the demonstration events and the People's Choice Award. Also Art Services for sponsoring prize money and the presentation event. This year we employed a professional photographer - who supplied these images and the rest of the show which will be posted on the main ASV website shortly.