The Foundry Arts Space, in collaboration with the Gargarro Botanic Gardens, have chosen the winning sculpture to be installed later this year at the gardens.
Photo by
Bree Harding
In collaboration with The Foundry Arts Space, the Gargarro Botanic Gardens in Gigarre have selected their sculpture competition winner.
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The competition received nine unique submissions, however, junk artist Julian Smith won the $30,000 opportunity with his 8-metre high ‘Banksia’.
Depending on wind conditions, the sculpture will rotate slowly using a stainless-steel shaft with industrial-grade sealed bearings housed within a concealed steel collar.
The winner was chosen by a selection committee of six people, led by The Foundry Arts Space co-ordinator Judi Lawlor.
Mrs Lawlor worked alongside Kerry Williams, Ellen Lee, Vicki Walker, Bernie Ryan and Barb Buckell to narrow down the submissions.
Artist Kerry Williams said it was a difficult process, and in the end, it came down to which artist best met the criteria.
“I was really amazed at the high quality of the work, and I thought it was such a credit to the local community that most of the people lived locally, and we could get such a great standard of expressions of interests for it,” she said.
“It was a really hard decision, and there were a number of really worthwhile applications there.
“Judy (Lawlor) did a fantastic job coming up with the criteria ... we went through each point and worked out how each work met that criteria, and that made it easier to take some out from the bottom.”
Julian Smith’s concept design for his winning sculpture.
To make the sculpture possible, Campaspe Shire Council granted the garden committee $30,000 to select, build and install an outdoor sculpture to enhance the garden.
Each submission was created to the theme of ‘The botanic garden and the aspirations held for it and/or to Country, paying homage to the district’s First Nations peoples heritage’.
Sculpture submissions closed in April, followed by a tough selection process to narrow it down to the top three.
Alongside Mr Smith, Angie Russo and duo Louise Costa and Les Pelle, were named as finalists.
Gargarro project convener Doc MacDonald said the botanic garden committee was satisfied with the result.
“It’s been a terrific outcome. Everyone’s just thrilled with Julian’s concept plans,” he said.
“We’re always looking to improve the garden ... we’re always looking for a worthwhile addition and this (sculptures) going to be a really good fit.”
The Gargarro Botanic Garden committee will work with Mr Smith and Campaspe Shire Council to bring this sculpture by late November 2025.
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