Last Friday 16 December saw the unveiling of the 2009 and 2011 winning works of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in their new home in the Royal Botanical Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbour. Gifted by The Balnaves Foundation the sculptures are now permanently displayed for the public to enjoy year round.

Unveiled by Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Robyn Parker, Time and Tide, Granite Monolith II by May Barrie and Paradiegma Metaphysic by Paul Selwood joined 2010 winning sculpture Mirroring by Danish artist Keld Moseholm which was unveiled earlier in the year.

Now aged 92, Sydney sculptor May Barrie, whose monolith was the inaugural winner of The Balnaves Sculpture Prize in 2009 said, "I'm happy to have my work in such a good public place where lots of people will see it, not hidden away somewhere.”

Paul Selwood of Wollombi NSW is equally pleased with the setting of his winning work. "The Garden and Domain invariably induce a state of abstracted musing, a state of reverie and that is the ideal state of mind to engage with my sculpture,” he said.

Green.Prof. David Mabberley, Minister Robyn Parker, May Barrie and David Handley. Photo by Graeme Pattison.

From Left Executive Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Prof. David Mabberley, Sculptor Paul Selwood, Minister Robyn Parker. Photo by Janelle Hatherly, the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust.