Sculptures shine in return to the Botanic Garden

The celebrated Sculpture in the Garden is back in the Wollongong Botanic Garden this year after being paused due to the pandemic.

The Wollongong Acquisitive Sculpture Award, known locally as Sculpture in the Garden, is held every two years. This year we received a record number of local, national, and international artists who have displayed their work throughout the Garden to vie for the prestigious award. The winner will be awarded a prize of $30,000 and will have their work become a permanent part of our City’s public art collection.

The showcasing of the 18 sculptures in the Garden will run from Saturday 6 February to Sunday 14 March, with the award winner to be announced on Thursday 11 February.  Across the exhibition, the Garden will play host to a series of free, playful workshops, talks and events.

“We are excited to have this exhibition return once again to our much-loved Wollongong Botanic Garden which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. It’s a  great way to appreciate the talents of some amazing artists in a unique outdoor setting,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“If you have the opportunity, I encourage all our community members to make the most of the good weather and visit the Garden to take a look at the exhibition. Take a moment to connect with nature and enjoy the sculptures on display.”

Want to get involved? Here is a taste of some of the activities coming to the Garden:

Throughout the next two months, local poets Ali Jane Smith, Emily Crocker and Anne–Marie Te Whiu will also be running creative poetry workshops with botanical connections, drawing inspiration from the sculptures and the surrounding environment.

Visitors can help create a growing sculpture with artist Greer Taylor as she leads the community in growing a collaborative environmental sculpture titled “Ghost Trees”. This art installation will run from 15 February to 13 March.

For those wanting to experience the wonders of the Botanic Garden and the sculptures after dark, a one-off Nocturnal Walk on 10 March shouldn’t be missed.

Bookings for Sculpture in the Garden events can be made via Council’s website.

“Sculpture in the Garden is a great biennial program which attracts a range of Australian and international artists. This will be the third time this program has been run, and we expect it to continue to grow in popularity,” said Cr Bradbery

”Over the next few weeks we hope to see our community and visitors engaging with the sculptures. If you haven’t visited the Botanic Garden in a while, now, in its golden jubilee year is the time to plan a picnic or stroll and enjoy everything that is on offer for our community.”

While you follow the sculpture trail through the Garden, or view the works online, you can vote for your favourite work to win the People’s Choice Award. While wandering the Garden, don’t forget to tag your creative snaps for your socials with #SculptureInTheGarden and #WollongongBotanicGarden.

Physical copies of the full program for the 2021 Sculpture in the Garden is available on the grounds of the Botanic Garden or you can view a copy on our website. Voting for the People’s Choice Award can be done online and begins Saturday 6 February.