Winner: Larissa Ollivain

Judge: Neil Laredo

Jane Canfield representing Bendigo Bank, prize donors.

Jo Chipperfield
Vice President

 Patricia Abela, Neil Laredo. Jo Chipperfield

Neil Laredo, Denise van Horen, Jo Chipperfield

Neil Laredo, April Erzetich, Jo Chipperfield

Neil Laredo, Maurice Franco, Jo Chipperfield

First Prize: Ocean

Artist: Larissa Ollivain

Medium: Felt

Judge’s comments:  

I have spoken of a few of the many aspects of sculpture that I believe are essential in its making of art. In this work called Ocean by Larissa, I believe she has captured all these elements. But it’s more. I have spoken about the importance of the process and here especially I would like to add that the process is not just perfecting the work based skill but being able to orchestrate those skills in interpreting the essence of the “story’”.

Second Prize: Vessel for Manaro Voui, Vanuatu

Artist: Patricia Abela

Medium: Prunus (plum tree branches), Phoromium Tenax

Judge’s comments:  

One of the things I look for in sculpture is it gives up its meaning. Descriptive in an abstract form. The material is significant in the work in itself and helps identify the work with the artist. The ‘vessel’ is a great metaphor used by artists to tell their story and in this work by Patti, the combination of metaphor and materials has developed a work that is engaging in its minimalist form.

Highly Commended : Message Sticks

Artist: Amos Grace

Medium: Found objects: wood & metal

Judge’s comments: 

The work in its title comes with many iconic images of notable works but as I saw the work for the first time I was taken by the arrangement, its simplicity in form, not overworked but commanding its own space.

Highly Commended: Entangled Sphere

Artist: Denise van Horen

Medium: Wire, Barbed wire, chain

Judge’s comments:  

Entangled Sphere is a work that is loaded with iconic symbols and the immediate reaction of here is something to be aware of. It creates a strength in its sharp tactile presence.

Commended: Cluster

Artist: April Erzetich

Medium: Copper wire, palm inflorescence, paper wasp nests.

Judge’s comments: 

Here are two types of material brought skilfully together to create tension. A place of refuge with a softness within the heart of the work surrounded by a warning, like the tentacles of a jelly fish.

Commended:  Together

Artist :Maurice Franco

Medium: Unfired clay

Judge’s comments:  

One of the most debated topics of today is identity and one which I am very conscious of in my own work and in Maurice’s work “Together” .I found the intertwined figures highlighted the importance of personal space in relation to one’s own identity.

People’s Choice : Aerial

Artist: Suzanne Nicholson

Medium:  Assorted found objects