SCULPTURES IN THE GARDEN – LIVE ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS

The 13th annual Sculptures in The Garden exhibition will launch on Saturday the 7th of October, running until Sunday the 22nd of October, and this year, the renowned event will include a number of new features to make your SIG experience more immersive than ever before.

An exciting addition to the SIG calendar of events includes live artist demonstrations from some of our long standing exhibitors. A different sculptor will present their craft each weekend of the exhibition on Saturday and Sunday. Sculptors Ian Marr, Gavin Roberts and Damien Lucas will talk about their profession, show visitors what they do, answer questions and invite guests to participate in sculpture creation.

DAMIEN LUCAS – LIMESTONE CARVING 

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th October 2023

Limestone Carving Demonstration at Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee

Damien Lucas is a renowned sculptor from Byron Bay who works in a variety of mediums including clay, plaster, stone, wood, steel and bronze. Lucas enjoys the medium of limestone above other types of stone such as marble and sandstone, as it is softer and easier to carve, lending itself well to the technique of rasping which quickly clarifies the forms.

Damien will demonstrate the process of carving limestone over the opening weekend of SIG 2023. He will begin with a block of limestone already "roughed out" so that visitors will be able to get a glimpse of the basic form and where it might be going. Damien will base his sculpture off a small clay model, or "maquette" to guide his creation. Visitors will be able to see the final idea evident in the maquette, which also provides insight into how one may begin to plan a limestone carving with direction to follow.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the process Damien follows when working with limestone, and to discuss the different types of tools used including mallets, chisels, and rasps.

GAVIN ROBERTS – TIMBER ART SPOON CARVING

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th October 2023

Gavin Roberts comes from a background of architecture and construction and finds simple pleasure out of creating. An enjoyment for problem solving and working in timber, steel and concrete gives Gavin plenty of opportunity to find the flowing forms and objects from often brutalist products.

Gavin will be demonstrating a form of sustainable small sculpture – The Art Spoon – demonstrating how a simple pruning from a tree can be turned into a usable small sculpture spoon with just an Axe and knife. See and hear how creating a sustainable keepsake of time and place can be rewarding both emotionally and visually.

Gavin will also touch on the art of Kikezuri, a style of Japanese “wood shaving” (or shaping) in which small sculptural shapes and forms are created for the simple purpose of making
something you can keep in your pocket or hold in your hand. Wood shaping is different from conventional wood carving in the fact that you are not in charge of deciding the end result, but rather you must allow the wood to guide you as you shave it as it is meant to be shaped.

It must be noted this demonstration comes with a warning from Roberts – Carving can be addictive! Consider yourself warned.

Gavin Roberts Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee
Gavin Roberts, Sculpture demonstrations, Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee

IAN MARR – SANDSTONE CARVING 

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd October 2023

Stone Carving with Ian Marr, Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee

Ian Marr draws and carves inscriptions in slate and sandstone, before decorating and gilding them. This art form is part of a continuous interest in drawing and painting, in response to poetic qualities in the environment and in the canon of literature.

As a medium, inscription is an enterprise that relatively few artists employ and is an art of ideas and suggestion rather than imitating and copying the realistic appearances of people and things.

Visitors will be able to watch Marr using a variety of hand tools to carve letters in slate and sandstone, as well as drawing on copper sheets and gilding them with 23 carat gold.

Ian Marr, Stone Carver

SIG ON A MISSION

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SIG FOR ARTISTS IN THE REGION & BEYOND

This year will mark the twelfth year of Sculptures in the Garden. From humble beginnings of a few hundred attendees to over 5000 visitors through the gate, the success of the event continues to dwarf previous years. In 2020, the two-day event was extended to 16 days, enabling more visitors to attend, and ultimately driving higher sales for the artists.

The objective of the SIG committee has long been to provide artists with a platform to exhibit their work. However, as the exhibition has evolved, one of the primary reasons the not-for-profit forges ahead year after year is to increase the public art collection available for the community to enjoy. The original public art display established in Lawson Park in Mudgee has now extended to sites in Rylstone, Gulgong, and the grounds of the Mudgee Hospital.

The opportunity this presents for artists is not to be underestimated. Winner of the top prize in 2021, Harrie Fasher, commented that “producing an exhibition of the calibre of Sculptures in the Garden is a huge undertaking; but in reality, SIG is doing more than just showcasing sculpture. Sculptures in the Garden enables emerging artists to showcase their work, nurturing creativity and the arts in the regions.”

Ahead, Harrie Fasher (Portland). Winner of the 2021 MWRC / SIG Acquisition

The opportunity this presents for artists is not to be underestimated. Winner of the top prize in 2021, Harrie Fasher, commented that “producing an exhibition of the calibre of Sculptures in the Garden is a huge undertaking; but in reality, SIG is doing more than just showcasing sculpture, they are nurturing local talent.” 

Fasher highlighted the importance of showcasing art in the regions, observing it was integral to the growth of creative rural communities. “Platforms like Sculptures in the Garden enable emerging artists to showcase their work, nurturing creativity and the arts in the regions”, Fasher explained.

In 2020, John Fitzmaurice submitted his magnificent 316 polished stainless-steel masterpiece, ‘Encounter’ into SIG. Fitzmaurice wasn’t successful in securing an acquisition prize that year, however in 2021, the Sculptures in the Garden committee purchased the work to donate to the newly constructed Mudgee Arts Precinct. The donation symbolises a special connection between Sculptures in the Garden and arts in the Central West; its placement linking the precinct to the Sculpture Walk in Lawson Park. It also represents the opportunity and possibilities for recognition that SIG can offer to artists.

"Encounter" by John Fitzmaurice: Large stainless steel public art sculpture permanently installed in front of the Mudgee Arts Precinct. An impressive artwork enriching the landscape at Sculptures in the Garden.

Encounter, John Fitzmaurice. Permanently installed in front of the Mudgee Arts Precinct.

Paul Bacon, a sculptor from Avalon Sydney encourages sculptors to take place if not for the professional advantage, then at least for the personal experience: “A garden of sculptures, big skies, paddocks, wine and a warm welcome from Mudgee. There is nothing not to love about showing work at SIG”.

These thoughts were echoed by Bathurst sculptor, Stephen Hogan, who commented that “Sculptures in the Gardens is one of my favourite shows on the annual calendar.  The Norton-Knights create a strong sense of family and that feeling of warmth extends to the many artists and visitors who participate and support this exhibition year on year. It's a wonderful event.”

Town, Paul Bacon (Avalon) & The Critique, Stephen Hogan (Bathurst)