The most generous sculpture prize in NSW was presented to May in Mark's Park, Bondi this morning by Balnaves Foundation General Manager, Hamish Balnaves.

"I am delighted to present the prize of $60,000 to May Barrie for this fantastic work. This is an acquisitive prize and the Balnaves Foundation is happy to gift this sculpture to the community for permanent public placement."

Born in Western Australia, May has been a sculptor for more than 60 years and has greatly contributed to Australian sculpture. A great source of inspiration for at least two generations of art students through her commitment to education, May began work on the stone sculpture in 1995, at the age of 77, completing it the following year.

On hearing the news, May commented, "I know it's a good work and now I'm glad that other people agree. I'm surprised and pleased to have been given this award - I hope I'm not just dreaming this! I'd like to thank the Balnaves Foundation for their support of the arts and Sculpture by the Sea."

Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize Winner May Barrie, time and
tide, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2009.

May is passionate about the use of stone in her works and the direct interaction she has with nature.

Always adventurous, May has travelled to some of the most far-flung corners of the world, including Afghanistan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, India, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Oman, Mongolia, Tunisia and Thailand.

Founding Director, David Handley was thrilled at the news of today's award, "Who would have thought May Barrie has been hidden from us for so long? We were delighted to invite her to exhibit in this year's show, time and tide granite monolith II is a major work of art that deserves this level of recognition."

The Balnaves Foundation is putting out an Australian wide call for Host Major Partners Co-Principal Sponsors expressions of interest from councils and other public organizations who want to be the home for the ten sculptures to be awarded the Balnaves Foundation Sculpture prize. May's sculpture will be acquired and gifted by the Balnaves Foundation, so the Council or organisation which is chosen to become the home to the collection, is only required to pay for the transport and installation of the sculptures. Applications for expressions of interest are available soon via the website www.sculpturebythesea.com and the deadline is 30 November, 2009.