Harbourside location perfect for display of 67 large-scale sculptures at annual Sawmillers exhibition

ONE of the most successful art events on Sydney’s northside is again being staged at the hidden gem of Sawmillers Reserve from September 17.

Sculptor Michael Snape with his work Self Portrait Turning Away 2014. Picture: Craig Wilson

ONE of the most successful art events on Sydney’s northside is again being staged at the hidden gem of Sawmillers Reserve.

Sculpture at Sawmillers opens on September 17 with an impressive array of 67 large-scale sculptures placed throughout the reserve on the western foreshore of McMahons Point.

The event and competition has attracted prominent sculptors including Ron Robertson, Jan King, Palu Selwood, Denise Oates, Stephen Coburn, Jenny Green and Ayako Saito.

The sculptures range from the dramatic, to the quietly contemplative and the quirky including Adam Galea’s High Horse.

Sculpture at Sawmillers has been held twice before, in 2010 and 2014, and although the sprawling harbourside reserve was a best kept secret by locals, thousands of people sought out the outdoor art show.

“The first in 2010 was an outstanding success and the second was even more successful,’’ said organiser and local resident Elsa Atkin.

The former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce will open the exhibition at 3.30pm on September 17. She also opened the event in 2010.

The Japanese drumming group TaikOz will perform at the opening.

Atkin, who is the former head of the National Trust, says sculptors do not get enough opportunity to exhibit their work.

“I love sculpture and feel that it never gets the recognition it deserves as an art form,’’ said Ms Atkin.

Atkin also sees Sculpture at Sawmillers as a community event and it is supported by North Sydney Council.

“I love Sawmillers because in the 1980s we saved it from development,” she said.

Balmain sculptor Michael Snape is among the leading sculptors whose work has been selected for Sculpture at Sawmillers.

“I love Sculpture at Sawmillers because it enjoys a discerning audience in a beautiful location,’’ he said.

Snape is among the judges of Sculpture at Sawmillers so his own sculpture, which will be on show, will be exempt from the competition.

The spherical, abstract work features dozens of cut-out metal figures.

But Snape reveals that the work was intended as self portrait and challenges viewers to use the perspective of Sawmillers Reserve to discover “his curly hair and gangly nose”.

The event carries a top award of $20,000, plus various other prizes, with all works for sale.

Hui Selwood who won the first Sculpture at Sawmillers with his work Vortex will again be exhibiting.

James Rogers won the 2014 Sculpture at Sawmillers with his work Moire Bay
and this year he has submitted a work called Tableau.

One of the best remembered sculptures from the event was a rattan horse and rider called

Tribute to a Workhouse which won artist Belinda Villani the people’s choice award in 2010.

This year’s Sculpture at Sawmillers will also feature live music on September 18 from the jazz band Tee Trio.

There will also be a poetry competition, the Sawmillers Poetry Prize, with entries closing on September 18 and readings at the reserve on September 24.

For details of Sculpture at Sawmillers and to submit entries to the poetry prize visit: sculptureatsawmillers.com.au