Take a Look: Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival
Figure 1
For the very first time, the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival (otherwise known as Sculpture in the Vineyards) will take place online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Finalists had already been selected for exhibition at this year’s festival when NSW was plunged progressively into lockdown from late June. Rather than deprive the community of the fantastic collection of works that had come together, the organisers decided to run an online version.
The online exhibition opens today, 1 September 2021, and will run until the end of the month.
Clockwise from top left: Figure 2, 3, 4, 5.
The competition is the longest-running regional outdoor sculpture exhibition in Australia, and has traditionally been one that features many members of the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School community - students, teachers and Board members alike. This year is no exception, of the 150 finalists there are sculptures by TBSSS chair Carol Crawford, TBSSS teachers Wendy Black, Ingrid Morley, Karen Alexander, and Monika Scarrabelotti, and TBSSS students Elena Murgia, Mauro Badii and Alessandro Tosetto on display.
And, as if that wasn't enough, the exhibition is once again being curated by TBSSS's very own Wendy Black!
‘The sculptures include abstract, figurative, representational and hyper-realistic works using a wide variety of materials such as steel, wood, stone, bronze, fibreglass and woven fibres,’ Wendy said. Wendy believes that the range of pieces on display will be better than ever, and that there are a number of exciting exhibitors including well-established figures on the sculpture scene, previous prize winners and some interesting new and emerging artists.
Clockwise from top left: Figure 6, 7, 8, 9.
Don't forget to take a look from the comfort (and safety) of your home. Sculpture lovers will be able to view and download an online catalogue of the works, and make arrangements to purchase them with the event’s Sales Coordinator. The festival has reduced its usual commission to maximise income for the artists.
2022 marks the 20th year of the festival, and the organisers look forward to a huge celebration next year.
Congratulations to all the finalists and organisers. Click here to see the exhibition, enjoy!
Figure 10 & 11.
Image details:
Figure 1: Ingrid Morley, Silent, steel, fallen snow gum, found objects 12 x 2.8 x 3.0m.
Figure 2: Carol Crawford, Bettinka, pink mottled alabaster.
Figure 3: Mauro Badii, Identidad (Identity), Mild Steel, 126 x 30 x 32 cm.
Figure 4: Elena Murgia, The weight of dreams, medium Carrara marble, iron, air and sandstone.
Figure 5: Monika Scarrabelotti, Icarus, bronze, railway sleeper, steel, 160 x 60 x 44 cm.
Figure 6: Wendy Black, Wombat, bronze.
Figure 7: Ingrid Morley, Keeper, Bronze, steel mobile fire fighting unit 146x76x46cm.
Figure 8: Alessandro Tosetto, Courage, Carrara marble.
Figure 9: Karen Alexander, Sleeping Girl, resin, painted bronze finish.
Figure 10: Wendy Black, The Spotted Tail Quoll, bronze.
Figure 11: Monika Scarrabelotti, Cocoon, Micro-crystalline wax on light box, 42 x 62 x 62 cm.