By Kirsty Ross
ENJOYING a reflective walk in the park could take on a whole new meaning in Wyndham if it becomes the home to council’s latest art acquisition.
Wyndham City Council paid $35,000 for a piece of art built from mirrored pieces of stainless steel, which was a vote winner last week at the 2006 Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Awards, in Werribee Park.
Karen Casey spent about two months stringing together the laser-cut DNA sequence she calls Code X to win the hearts of the five judges.
“We look at the mirror as a way of identifying ourselves, but DNA mapping has also given us another way of identifying ourselves,” said the 50-year-old artist.
She said her brushed piece resembled separateness blending in and out of the landscape.
But Ms Casey, of Fitzroy North, didn’t see herself as a sculptor but rather a multi-disciplinary artist who was keen on print-making, painting and multi media. She will spend the prizemoney paying off her credit card and investing in a new studio.
Alexander Knox was another artist with reason to celebrate.
He took the top prize for his Death of a White Good – an aircraft’s splintered cockpit.
The sculpture replicated “a relic, almost robbed of its identity” and brought a windfall of $80,000 and an extra $15,000 towards his professional development.
“I didn’t know it was going to work – I guess it did,” Mr Knox said.
And the 40-year-old artist had double reason to celebrate with his wife, Eliza, giving birth three weeks ago to their second daughter, Tatum.
Some 29 finalists battled it out in the competition, the richest prize for sculptors in Australia.
The exhibition will be open to the public at Werribee Park until 7 May.
Picture: LENWILLIAMS.
