From delicate ceramics to bold reclamations of found objects, there’s a vast spread of works to peruse at the exhibition for the 22nd Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. Open to artists across Australia and New Zealand, the Prize is Australia’s pre-eminent award for small sculpture and attracts strong support from artists, collectors and critics alike.
In 2023, the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is showing for the second time ever in the water-front heritage surrounds of Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, which opened its doors in November 2021. The beautiful architecture, gardens and Sydney Harbour views at this historic building are half the reason for you to make a visit.
The 50 finalists – which encompass a variety of mediums, styles and contemporary themes – were chosen from 610 entries through a blind selection process by a judging panel, which is composed of sculptor and 2009 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize winner Alex Seton; artist and 2022 Archibald Prize winner Blak Douglas; and chair of the Copyright Agency, Dr Kate Harrison.
Wollongong-based artist Anita Johnson has come out on top this year, being awarded the $25,000 prize for her work ‘Tenderness’, which will be acquired for Woollahra Council’s permanent public collection, joining previous winners. ‘Tenderness’ is built upon a salvaged cricket ball, which Johnson found in a state of ruin and was “drawn to the vulnerability of its wounded form”. The artist “repaired” the ball with possum fur – a sculptural nod to surrealist artist Méret Oppenheim’s famous fur-covered teacup, as well as the possum skin blankets of Johnson’s own youth – and a wet-moulded leather “object-prosthetic” which she cast from her own breast.
Photograph: Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize/Jacquie Manning | Anita Johnson, 'Tenderness'
Blak Douglas said: “The winning work, Anita Johnson's ‘Tenderness’ contains so many metaphors – it's a quirky sculpture which speaks to national pride. She has cleverly created commentary around gender, and the imbalance of respect for women's cricket as opposed to the patriarchy that rules men's cricket.”
Meanwhile, Robert Michael Young received the Special Commendation Award of $2,000 for ‘Cultural Cradle’, while Jamie North was selected for the Mayor’s Award, winning $1,000 for ‘Remainder No.52’. We’re also really into the work of Thai-Australian artist Nathan Beard, who was awarded a special Judges’ Award, winning $2,000 for ‘Corsage’, which depicts a hyper-realistic pair of human feet sporting a fierce bejewelled pedicure and flowers. Special mention also to Mylyn Nguyen, who fashioned miniature recreation of one of Newtown’s most recognisable buildings for ‘411 King Street’, examining her own past and sense of belonging to a particular place in doing so.
If you’re into the idea of an indoor alternative to the return of Bondi’s Sculpture by the Sea – and discovering a stunning heritage home with a colourful past, including once operating the headquarters for the Royal Commission on Espionage – this is one for you to check out.
Want to go deeper? On Saturday, October 7, the gallery is hosting an afternoon of Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize Artist Talks, including prize winner Anita Johnson in conversation with gallery director Pippa Mott. This drop-in event is free and unticketed, and access will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find out more here.
The 22nd Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize is showing at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf until November 5, 2023. Admission is free.