Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

LAST UPDATED: 26th MAY 2008
Kevin Free carving limestone at the 2004 exhibition

Since 1996 the Association of Sculptors has run a major Sculpture exhibition at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. In 2009 the exhibition comprised some 90 works from 50 different Sculptors from Victoria and Interstate.

In 2010 the exhibition is again being run by the ASV. It will be located as usual in the Carlton Gardens at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. Entry forms and conditions of entry are available for download from this website, or by request to the Association (see contact us).

Our Judge for 2010 will be the well known Melbourne sculptor Peter Schipperheyn.

Prizes will be awarded in the following sections:-

  1. Section A. Carving in stone or wood (any material!)
    1. 1st Prize $1,000
    2. 2nd Prize $250
    3. Highly commended - Certificate
  2. Section B. Moulding, Ceramics, Mosaics, Casting
    1. 1st Prize $1,000
    2. 2nd Prize $250
    3. Highly commended - Certificate
  3. Section C Fabrications, Assemblies and installations
    1. 1st Prize $1,000
    2. 2nd Prize $250
    3. Highly commended - Certificate
  4. Best Presentation
    1. Prize $250
  5. People’s Choice
    1. 1st Prize $500

In addition Kevin Free will organise a daily demonstration.

The exhibition will run from 24th of March to the 28th 2010.

2009 Exhibition Prizes and Awards

Below are the winners of the 2009 sculpture prize. Click on an image to see the work in larger format, with accompanying details.

Thumbnail image of 'Germination'
1st Prize -
Jim Howson
Thumbnail image of 'October'
2nd Prize -
Jan Indrans
Thumbnail image of 'Flotsam'
3rd prize -
Lise Toft
Thumbnail image of 'Pair of Pears'
People's Choice -
Karen Herring
Thumbnail image of 'Case Moth Cocoon II'
Highly Commended -
Jenny Steiner
Thumbnail image of 'Snow Gums'
Highly Commended -
Pauline Meade
Thumbnail image of 'Spring Racing'
Emerging Artist Award -
Mary Van den Broek

2006 Exhibition Preview

Thumbnail image of 'Seed 3'
Rudi Jass - Seed 3
Thumbnail image of 'Virtual Fragments'
Valda Cuming -
Virtual Fragments
Thumbnail image of 'Wings of Desire'
Rudi Jass -
Wings of Desire
Thumbnail image of 'Nostalgia 3'
Van Phu Le -
Nostalgia 3
Thumbnail image of 'Sea Dog'
Rachelle Dale -
Sea Dog
Thumbnail image of 'Curiosity'
Gillian Govan -
Curiosity
Thumbnail image of 'Dancing Dragons'
Meredith Plain -
Dancing Dragons
Thumbnail image of 'The Last Unicorn'
Rachelle Dale - The Last Unicorn

2006 Exhibition Acknowledgements

The exhibiting sculptors and members of the Association of Sculptors of Victoria would like to thank the following donors for their support of this exhibition:

  • IMG and MIF&GS
    Website URL: www.melbflowershow.com.au
    Provision of the site and facilities, and for sponsorship of the second and third prizes.
  • Outdoor Creations - the Garden Studio
    Website URL: www.outdoorcreations.com.au
    Sponsor of the first prize, and honorary judges for the Sculpture Prize 2006.
  • Bulleen Art & Garden
    Website URL: www.baag.com.au
    For the Bulleen Art & Garden Prize for best limestone carving, and support for the demonstration event.
  • Morning Star Estate
    Website URL: www.morningstarestate.com.au
    For the Prize for Presentation.
  • Northcote Pottery
    Website URL: www.northcotepottery.com.au
    For the Northcote Pottery Prize for best ceramic art.
  • Tropical Thatch
    Website URL: www.tropicalthatch.com.au
    For the provision of our "site office".
  • Super Steel Lattice - Metal Art
    Website URL: www.supersteellattice.com
    For supply of the safety barrier to the demonstration event.

The exhibition committee for the 2006 MIF&GS Sculptors' Art in the Garden comprised Bronwyn Culshaw (co-ordinator), Patrick Culshaw, Tristan Geier, Donald Glue, Gillian Govan, Heather King, Michael Meszaros, Meredith Plain, Jenny Rickards and Lise Toft. Special thanks to Danny Bast.

2004 Exhibition Judge's Comments

Before awarding the prizes, Lesley Alway gave the following introduction: -

"Judging at prizes, whether painting, sculpture or mixed media is a mixed blessing - and never easy. On the one hand there is the joy of looking at and discovering new work, on the other hand there is the difficulty of delivering judgement on work that is often difficult to compare, but that has been nurtured and developed, often with much anxiety and heartache by the artists as they strive to make their ideas a reality. This burdens the 'judge' with much responsibility - and often as much angst!

It is worth remembering that judging art is purely subjective and the 'winning' work is relative to the views of [the] particular judge(s), rather than necessarily the best work overall. The criteria by which I have assessed the work includes both the expression of the concept or idea as well as the skill and technique of the execution and presentation.

In 2004, as in previous years there is a diversity of practice and materials. The most powerful works are those that use their materials and forms to evoke a powerful idea. Often these are at first sight, the simplest works, but on reflection, the most complex because of the reduction and paring down of elements that requires a discipline often hard to attain. Less is often more. On the other hand, humour and whimsy were elements in a number of works that convey meaning with great joy.

Congratulations to all the entrants for their commitment to sculpture in all its forms."