SCULPTURE Bermagui acknowledges that we work, play and live on Djirringanj Yuin Country. We are grateful for the care that generations of Traditional Owners have taken for the land and sea, their spirit and traditions, as well as the custodianship they continue to provide.
We offer our respects to Yuin ancestors, Yuin Elders and all the young people growing up on Country and elsewhere.
All of us at SCULPTURE Bermagui extend a heartfelt thank you to the artists, visitors, volunteers, sponsors, donors and the town of Bermagui for supporting this year’s exhibition, held under challenging circumstances where many areas of NSW were flood zones.
The 2022 exhibition has included sculptures inspired by the natural world, exploring themes of sustainability and inviting environmental activism. Many pieces were created especially to interact with the surrounding physical environment, using the Bermagui coastline as a key design element.
John Fitzmaurice’s ‘Twist and Pop’ was the winner of the award from our major sponsor, the Bermagui Beach Hotel and the SCULPTURE Bermagui Award, with thanks to Michael and Manuela Darling, was given to Sam Anderson for ‘Bwindi’, which means impenetrable forest, the habitat of the endangered mountain gorilla. The Cox Family Acquisitive Award went to Daryl Harbrow for ‘King of the Sky’ and the Rob and Sally Hawkins Acquisitive award was given to local artist Edward Willson for ‘First day on earth’.
The prize pool for the Bermagui Business Award, donated by more than thirty Bermagui Businesses, totalled $4000 this year and funded the acquisition of a new sculpture for the permanent Bermagui collection, ’Forest’ by Michael Ferris.
Brandt Noack ‘Seaweed Fruits 3’ received the Dorothy Heasty Award and Boyd McMillan’s ‘Windy Morning’ was chosen by Jarra Collins to be the recipient of the Peter ‘Beatle’ Collins Memorial Acquisitive Award. Bob Teasdale was the recipient of the Carol Ladd Encouragement Award and Shannon Stone received the Ivy Hill Gallery Exhibition Award. The South East Arts Award was given to local artist Daniel Lafferty for ‘Boulders by Fire’.
View the 2022 Prize winners HERE
Thousands of visitors not only came to Bermagui to enjoy the artworks, but also took the time to vote for their favourites. As we entered the final weekend, voting in the People’s Choice awards was too close to call and there were a number of artworks as frontrunners. The Bermagui Country Club People’s Choice Award for Outdoor Sculpture was won by Jesse Graham’s ‘2020 Vision’, a work which was slowly constructed in the aftermath of the 2020 mega fires that resulted in total loss for Jesse and his wife. The winner of the Bega Cheese People’s Choice Indoor Sculpture Award was Emily Valentine for ‘Lorwhawha’, an engineered fantasy beast’.
Danja Derkenne was one of three sculptors speaking at the closing event. The focus of Danja’s recent practice is ecological disruption. This direction has been emaphasised because of her personal experiences enduring the Currowan fire, 2019-2020, which badly impacted her whole community. Local artist Edward Willson also spoke at the closing event, his talk was based on abstract inspiration, work process and showing his recent work.
To the many people who have made a contribution on entry, attended our workshops, guided tours or artist talks, enjoyed the sculptures, bought a catalogue, thank you – every connection and collaboration helps. We are looking forward to seeing you next year at SCULPTURE Bermagui.
The 2023 dates are Saturday March 11th until Sunday March 19th.
Olga Nielsen
Secretary
SCULPTURE Bermagui is one of the region’s top five flagship events. It is held over 9 days each March in the heart of unspoilt coastal ambience of magnificent forests, fields, beaches and headlands.
The Outdoor works are curated on the beautiful Dickinson Point headland and foreshore overlooking Horseshoe Bay and Mount Gulaga. The Program can include other free public activities like workshops to engage visitors in making or describing sculpture. Occasionally we offer music and poetry events and, when the weather permits, fire spectacles.
The Indoor works are curated in the nearby Bermagui Surf Club out of the elements, to enable appreciation of them and their more vulnerable nature.
With works coming from across the country and occasionally overseas, we continue to exhibit a high standard of artistic expression, diversity and quality. Many artists focus on recycled materials and given Bermagui’s coastal setting, entries often contain a nautical or Nature based theme, even though no theme is called for.
The numerous prizes are presented at the opening of the exhibition and the Closing Night, which bring our artists, visitors and community together to enjoy refreshments in a stimulating, inspiring ambience.
SCULPTURE Bermagui has increased in popularity each year for artists, art lovers and volunteers. It offers a free and exciting exhibition for all ages to indulge in and explore sculpture to their hearts’ content, away from the pressures of daily life.
Opening each March, it includes the weekend of Labor Day in Victoria and Canberra Day in ACT, for exhibitors and art lovers to mark this event a highlight on their calendar. Many say this community-based occasion is well worth the drive. It is an excuse for a well-earned break amongst nature and art, with good food and fun at hand, in our coastal village.
