Wed. Nov 6th, 2024

Regional Australia’s premier outdoor art exhibition, Sculptures in the Garden (SIG), will embark on its biggest year yet after receiving an unprecedented number of submissions, including sculptures Walcha’s Stephen King.

A third of the entries came from new artists who had never submitted their work before in the event’s 14-year history. 

The 2024 event will feature more than 250 artworks from 130 successful artists, along with works from local kids in the SIG for Kids! section.

Making the journey from all over Australia, renowned artists will flock to Mudgee in October for regional Australia’s most expansive outdoor art exhibition.

The lineup of major artists exhibiting this year includes Lucy Humphrey (Sydney, NSW), Bridget Whitehead (Newcastle, NSW), Stephen Coburn (Sydney, NSW), Dave Horton (Stanwell Tops, near Wollongong, NSW), Stephen Marr (Sydney, NSW), and Peter Lewis (Brisbane, QLD), along with last year’s top prize winner Ingrid Morley (Jenolan, NSW).

Other prominent artists include Paul Bacon (Wootton, NSW), Stephen King (Walcha, NSW), Peter Tilley (Newcastle, NSW), Mela Cooke (Brisbane, QLD) and Adam Rish (Sydney, NSW).

Scheduled for October 12 – 27, this year’s exhibition, set in the picturesque Rosby Vineyard gardens, promises to be a remarkable showcase of creativity, innovation and talent.

This year, there will be a special guest event on Saturday 19 October, featuring author and editor of Galah magazine Annabelle Hickson. She will speak about and sign copies of her latest book, ‘Galah — Stories of life outside the city’.

This year’s lineup reinforces SIG’s commitment to supporting artists at various stages of their careers and to nurturing the vibrant art scene in Australia.

“We’re incredibly excited about this year’s lineup,” Kay Norton-Knight, founder and curator of Sculptures in the Garden, said.

“The variety of work showcases the incredible range of creative talent in Australia. It promises to be an unforgettable event.”

Sculptures in the Garden is a not-for-profit exhibition, with proceeds going to local charity partners and the acquisition of sculptures for the Mudgee community’s public arts initiative. Since 1983 event founders Gerry and Kay Norton-Knight have worked tirelessly to develop the garden, gallery and surrounds of Rosby Wines, where the not-for-profit event is held, creating a magical setting for this now-iconic event, which began in 2011.

Renowned architect, contemporary painter and guest judge Susan Rothwell AM said they were seeing more people at the exhibition each year.

“We’re seeing a natural growth in a country which is usually focused on sport, not art, which is great,” Rothwell said.

“It’s excellent that local communities are now embracing art and local councils are realising that art is an important part of people’s lives.

“I think sculpture is now recognised as an integral part of any big development and a lot of councils now require a sculptural component in new buildings. 

“I think our local Mid-Western Regional Council has been well ahead of its time in terms of country councils getting behind art, and they really need recognition of that. 

“The flow on, including the interest in the regional gallery, is turning Mudgee into an art hub — which compliments the wine, the olive oil and the fine food area that it’s become known for.”

Alongside Ms Rothwell, this year’s exhibition selection committee will include Sculpture by the Sea founding CEO and Artistic Director David Handley AM, Mudgee architect Cameron Anderson, Mid Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy and journalist Sam Paine.

All selected artworks will be eligible for the ‘SIG and Mid-Western Regional Council prize’, a prestigious accolade accompanied by a $30,000 award.

The ‘Friends of SIG Prize’ winner will be awarded $10,000, and the ‘Fernside Pastoral Company Prize’ winner will receive $10,000.

These three acquisitions will become part of the Mid-Western Regional Council public art collection — the Lawson Park Sculpture Walk.

Stephen King (Walcha, NSW)

Stephen King graduated from SCA in 1977, has exhibited 21 times at SXS Bondi, winning the major Prize in 2013, King’s public commissions include the Canal to Creek Public Art Program, Sculpture down the Lachlan and the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail.


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