Winner announced for Sculpture in the Garden

The prestigious Wollongong Acquisitive Sculpture Award, known locally as Sculpture in the Garden exhibition has been won by Victoria-based artist Fatih Semiz.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM announced the selection of Semiz’s sculpture titled ‘Curious Dream of an Architect’ as the award winner earlier today.

“Fatih’s sculpture 'Curious Dream of an Architect’ is a measured piece with layers of creativity that will become a much-appreciated and permanent part of our city’s public art collection. The geometric artwork took inspiration from the environment and the repetitive patterns in nature,” said Cr Bradbery.

“I’d also like to congratulate all the artists who shared their work with our community as part of this exhibition. It has been fantastic to experience the artwork in the natural space of the Wollongong Botanic Garden.”

As winner of the Wollongong Acquisitive Sculpture Award, Mr Semiz receives a prize of $30 000. His piece ‘Curious Dream of an Architect’ is one of 18 sculptures currently on display at the Botanic Garden as part of the 2021 Sculpture in the Garden exhibition, which runs until Sunday 14 March.

The People’s Choice Award will continue to run until March 7 and it’s not too late to vote for your favourite artwork. Community members and visitors can vote for their sculpture of choice via Council’s website or in person when you visit the Garden using the QR codes on the exhibition signage. Everyone who submits an entry into People’s Choice Award will also go in the running for a $200 prize.

While wandering the exhibition, don’t forget to tag your creative snaps for your socials with #sculptureinthegarden and #WollongongBotanicGarden.

As part of this exhibition, there will also be a number of exciting and eclectic events for the community to enjoy. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer:

• View the Garden in a new light with a one-off Nocturnal Walk on 10 March.
• Join the famous Italian sculptor, Signor Michelangelo for an interactive performance along the sculpture trail.
• Take part in a Kids' Environmental Sculpture Workshop for children aged 5-12
• Help create a growing sculpture with Sculptor in Residence, Greer Taylor. The collaborative environmental sculpture titled ‘Ghost Trees’ will be open between 16 February to 13 March.
• Enjoy poetry in the Garden. We’ve partnered with Red Room Poetry to bring local poets Ali Jane Smith, Emily Crocker and Anne-Marie Te Whiu to deliver creative poetry workshops in response to the sculptures in the Garden.
• Meet the artists at our Sculpture in the Garden 2021 artists talks and learn more about the process and thoughts of the artists who participated in this year’s exhibition.
• For those with a keen eye, a mobile poem is also sailing around Wollongong on the sides of buses for the next 5 weeks. The piece was created by Emily Crocker and was inspired by Fleur Brett’s sculpture “Shelter” which is currently on exhibition as part of Sculpture in the Garden.

Sounds good? You can pick up a physical copy of the 2021 Sculpture in the Garden program when you visit the Garden or download a copy via Council’s website. Bookings are essential for the workshops. Visit the Wollongong Botanic Garden website for more information.