There are several sculpture exhibitions coming up later this year. One is Sculpture by The Sea at Bondi in October. Another is Sculpture in The Vineyards or The Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival in September.
Wollombi’s curatorial selection over the years has been spot on. It’s a show where you will see some of the best work made in Australia without the distraction of ‘breadth’.
The sculptors share a common set of values, which means works can chat rather than argue with each other. The ‘conversation’ constitutes serious cultural capital, which is rare in Australia.
The best works often attract the prizes, which is gratifying. Rank offers no advantage and younger sculptors are as likely to draw attention as the old masters.
‘Old masters’ has quite a strong association with art history. We are fortunate in Australia however, to have at least six ‘old masters’. These sculptors have held their vision, their nerve, their purpose over fifty years. Most of those sculptors will be showing at Wollombi.
Writers and critics have been reluctant to acknowledge this accomplishment. Let that be noted here.
We should not have to wait for writers like Jerry Saltz to lift an artist like Sid Nolan to a high shelf sixty years after he had left his mark.
We don’t need the world to agree with claims we make, but we should boldly declare our achievements when they occur.
I am looking forward to the exhibition and to the occasion of meeting my colleagues and visitors in the charming community of Wollombi.