This year Perth’s largest free outdoor art exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe showcases 71 pieces – 21 from international artists, 26 interstate and 24 local. Running until March 24 Founding Director, David Handley, anticipates 220,000 visitors. Thanks to one anonymous supporter, the WA artists had the chance to win $10,000 and an invitation to exhibit at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. Crayfish, Crows and kids toys were amongst those battling it out. The winner …
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| Mikaela Castledine Tokyo Crows © The Ponder Room |
Twenty black Tokyo Crows.
Kalamunda artist Mikaela Castledine was announced winner and accepted the award from the Hon. Julie Bishop, Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mikaela likened winning the award to going fishing with her father, adding with glee that she’d ‘caught the big one.’
‘It is such an astonishing thing to look up from your work and find that other people have connected with it. Winning this award is an amazing chance to dream some bigger dreams,’ said Mikaela.
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Mikaela Castledine © The Ponder Room
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Mikaela is known for her 2D work in paper collage but also experiments with crocheting. The life-sized crows were crocheted from polypropylene and secured to steel legs. In her artists’ statement she described crows as ‘intelligent, creative, amusing and great survivors, but still we are frightened of them, demonise them and in some places wage war against them.’
The piece left me pondering two things …
The crows were so realistic that you can easily walk past them thinking they’ve just flown in. The only thing missing was their harsh lamenting call. Shame Graham Kennedy is no longer with us.
It will be interesting to see how the local seagulls react. While I was there they tended to stay away, hence I’d hazard a guess that Mikaela has not only created a winning entry, but has also inadvertently created the best place to sit and eat your fish and chips uninterrupted.
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Mikaela Castledine Tokyo Crows © The Ponder Room
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It took six months to make the crows. In between the many hours spent crocheting each one, Mikaela told me she often took time out to write. On reflection this reminded me that when you dare to venture into the creative crevices of your brain, you often emerge with something entirely different from what you went in for. Kind of like going into the kitchen for an apple, and returning with a glass of white, bowl of chips and six pieces of Toblerone.
‘It’s wonderful that thanks to one of our donors Mikaela gets this generous support.’ Said David Handley, Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea.
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe runs until March 24, 2013.
To help with parking Cottesloe is once again running the Cott Cat free shuttle bus every fifteen minutes between 10.30am and 5.30pm. It runs from the Cottesloe train station. Visitors with disabilities and their carers can also join the Tactile Tours (bookings are essential).
For more information go to www.sculpturebythesea.com
