Campus grounds come alive with weird and wonderful art

Thirty lifejackets floating on an invisible ocean; a colonially-dressed monkey conducting an orchestra; and a giant discarded sock.

These are just some of the weird and wonderful sculptures that will feature on the grounds of Western Sydney University’s Campbelltown campus for the 2018 Sculpture Prize and Exhibition.(opens in a new window)

The Sculpture Exhibition, open to the public from 4 May - 3 June, is well-established as western Sydney’s answer to Sculptures by the Sea.

The University's Art Curator, Monica McMahon, says 23 new sculptures will be added to the existing sculpture park, located on the rolling hills and lakeside vista of the entrance to the University’s Campbelltown campus.

“The sculptures range from epic creations that you can wander through, to low-lying works with intricate details that you tower over. They are installed in the lake and on the surrounding grass,” says Ms McMahon.

“Since the Sculpture Prize began in 2004, the University has acquired 7 prize-winning sculptures and another 6 donated sculptures have been permanently installed on the campus."

The Western Sydney University Sculpture Award showcases major works by significant Australian and international artists. The finalists who will have their work exhibited in 2018 are:

  • Robert Barnstone
  • Jennifer Cochrane
  • Hilde A. Danielsen
  • Merran Esson
  • John Fitzmaurice
  • Jenny Green
  • Paul Handley
  • Christopher Hodges
  • Neil Laredo
  • Chris Leaver
  • Dan Lorrimer
  • Dale Miles
  • Ludwig Micek
  • Shaelene Murray
  • Denese Oates
  • John Petrie
  • Louis Pratt
  • Michael Purdy
  • Ayato Saito
  • Barry Tate
  • Marcus Tatton
  • Lisa Tolcher
  • Jacek Wankowski

The prizes will include:

  • Western Sydney University Acquisitive Sculpture Award - valued up to $30,000
  • Landcom People's Choice Award - $5,000 (non-acquisitive)
  • Janice Reid Site Specific Sculpture Award - $5,000 (non-acquisitive)

The winner of the major prize will be announced at a special opening ceremony event on Friday 4 May.

Members of the public are invited to visit the campus and view the sculpture park during core business hours, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm and 10am – 4pm on weekends.

Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite work for the Landcom People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at a Mayoral reception at Campbelltown Arts Centre at the end of the exhibition.

The exhibition is proudly supported by Landcom and Quest Campbelltown.

Ends

5 April 2018

Danielle Roddick, Senior Media Officer.