By Ann Marie Angebrandt
IMPOSING and quirky shapes in steel, plastic and wood now decorating the formal lawns of Werribee Park are national finalists in this year’s Helen Lempriere sculpture awards.
The 22 entries feature works from some of Australia’s most accomplished sculptors, including 13 from Victoria.
The winner, who receives an $80,000 cash and professional development package, will be announced on 28 February.
Launched in 2000, the annual awards honour the memory of Helen Lempriere, the niece of Dame Nellie Melba, and a leading Australian painter, printmaker and sculptor between the 1930s and 1970s.
Award manager Anne Robertson said the judging panel was impressed by this year’s 185 submissions, many of which embraced the scale and setting of Werribee Park.
“I am confident that each work chosen will challenge the artists and inspire the viewing public,” she said.
Other major prizes include three $3000 highly commended prizes for outstanding works, a $1000 encouragement award, and a $5000 people’s choice award for the most popular work as voted by visitors.
The Wyndham City Council spends up to $35,000 for a sculpture it adds to its public art collection.
The finalists’ sculptures remain on display at Werribee Park from 1 March until the 27 May.
The winner will go on permanent exhibition in the “sculpture walk,” created in 2004.
It now contains 27 works.
