The people have spoken, the recipients of the Allens Arthur Robinson People's Choice and the NAB Kids' Choice Prizes at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010 were announced on the final day of the exhibition, Sunday 14th November. New South Wales Leader of the Opposition and Member for Ku-ring-gai, Mr. Barry O'Farrell MP spoke at the prize ceremony and presented the awards.
NSW artists Suzie Bleach and Andy Townsend were awarded the Allens Arthur Robinson People's Choice Prize of $5,000 for their sculpture, the adaptable migrant.
A large camel made from steel, the adaptable migrant is filled with precious cargo such as a ukulele, a sewing machine and books, items that represent the culture, history and memories brought by migrants to their new home.
Bondi local Tomas Misura won the NAB Kids' Choice Prize of $3,000 for his colourful work splash. The giant stainless steel paint tube squirting vibrant red paint towards Bondi Beach explores the dynamics of a moment in time, and was much loved by the thousands of children that visited the exhibition.
Braidwood, NSW couple Suzie Bleach and Andy Townsend have been collaborators for over 20 years making artwork in a variety of media for exhibition and commission. They have exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi six times since 2000.
Slovakian-born Tomas Misura was educated at the School of Artistic Crafts in Bratislava, and emigrated in Australia in 1999. He has exhibited across Europe, in Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic, and first exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in 2007. Tomas was one of the recipients of the Clitheroe Foundation Mentor Program for 2010.
Two other popular vote prizes were awarded today, chosen by staff that work closely with the exhibition. Indian artist Gangadhar Mahato was the recipient of the Waverley Council Parks Staff Prize for his sculpture anguish, which was presented by the Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Sally Betts.
Japanese artist Kaoru Matsumoto was awarded the Sculpture by the Sea Staff Prize for his beautiful kinetic work cycle90° "a premonition of wind" III.
At the prize ceremony Mr. O'Farrell announced, should NSW Liberal & Nationals win office at the next election, his pledge to support Sculpture by the Sea for the next four years. He said ""It's my pleasure to support this iconic event. Congratulations to all the artists whose work has been on display. I'm determined to keep the exhibition here in Sydney and, importantly, continue to see it flourish. That's why a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will provide $300,000 a year for four years to support Sculpture by the Sea. The exhibition provides a $60 million injection into the local economy, helping drive jobs and investment.""
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010, the world's largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition, ran from 28 October until 14 November 2010 on the stunning Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. Each year the exhibition attracts approximately 440, 000 people to see the works of over 100 artists along the coastline. In an economic impact study conducted at the 2009 exhibition it was estimated that Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi brought in $23.7 million direct visitor spending in NSW. Around 14,400 interstate visitors and 4,900 international visitors came to NSW for the specific purpose of visiting the exhibition. The study was conducted by leading global management consulting firm Booz & Co.
Founding director David Handley said of this year's exhibition ""Rain, hail and shine, we've had it all this year and it's been great fun. Thank-you to all of the artists for putting on such a wonderful show and we look forward to being back next year with, hopefully, the additional funding locked in for the artists whoever wins office, as without them the show would not be possible"".
Each year the exhibition attracts an array of talented sculptors from NSW and interstate, as well as gifted international artists from countries such as Denmark, Japan, India, New Caledonia and the USA.
Sculpture by the Sea is an international series of exhibitions at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia from 4 to 22 March 2011 and in the beautiful city of Aarhus in Denmark from the 2 June to 3 July 2011.
For further information please contact:
Zannah Marchand
Phone: + 61 2 9211 6650
Mobile: 0415 448 362
Email: zannah@nixco.com.au