Banksia shows its mettle at Sculpture in the Garden

Image: Artist Deborah Redwood and her winning sculpture, Banksia.

Local artist Deborah Redwood has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Sculpture in the Garden with her eye-catching work, Banksia.

The larger-than-life sculpture was made from clusters of ground-down nails, and is currently on display on the eastern side of the Garden’s flowering trees and shrub collection near the Fig Lawn.

The work was selected ahead of 22 other works on display, which were created by Australian and international artists.

“The judges found this piece of artwork to be a really impressive sculpture and one that speaks to the garden’s environment and its role in celebrating, conserving and preserving important native plants like the Banksia,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“There’s an impressive range of entries in this year’s event, and I congratulate all those with works on display in the Garden. There is a real diversity in the artworks for 2023 and they are all very thought provoking.

“This is such a warm and fun exhibition and provides such an exciting opportunity to showcase the talents of artists, as well as the beauty of the Garden itself.’’

Ms Redwood was announced as the winner of the $30,000 prize at a special event held at the Garden today, Thursday 23 March 2023. The judges also recognised artists Camie Lyons, for The Bush Custodians, and Selby Ginn, for The Monolith of Contemplation, saying their works warranted a Highly Commended acknowledgement. While the exhibition opened last weekend, an opening celebration will be held at the Garden tonight. The sculptures remain on display until 30 April.

Ms Redwood’s work will be added to the city’s public art collection and she joins previous winners’ Fatih Semiz in 2021 for Curious Dream of an Architect, Michael Purdy in 2018 for Steel City and Louis Pratt in 2016 for King Coal.

“Banksia draws attention to the woody cone produced by the Banksia flower,’’ Ms Redwood wrote in her artist’s statement.

“The Banksia flower has thousands of spikes, which finally decay and in this sculpture are represented by clusters of ground-down nails. There are also many empty wedge-like follicles in the original flower. The wedge-like follicles are usually tightly shut until stimulated by bush fires to open and only then seeds are released.

“My sculpture aims to draw attention to this incredibly, final transformational process, from a flower to seed release. This large-scale Banksia cone draws people’s attention to the beauty, complexity and importance of the cones scattered throughout the Garden.’’

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said more than 30,000 people were anticipated to come to the Garden during the six-week exhibition, with many participating in the exciting program of free events on offer.

“An important part of what we do as a Council is provide opportunities for our community to enjoy our public spaces like the Wollongong Botanic Garden,’’ he said.

“This site is so important to the fabric of our community. Many of us can remember coming to the Duck Pond as kids to feed the ducks and eels peas and corn. Many of us have held family gatherings in the grounds, and lots of couples have tied the knot in the Rose Garden. It’s a space that is special to many hearts and events like Sculpture in the Garden provide us with a reason – or an excuse – to come and enjoy this important green space.

“Having an acquisitive art prize also provides Council with the ability to offer an engaging event that attracts visitors, supports artists to practice and celebrate their craft and provides opportunities for the community to enjoy and participate in cultural activities. It’s a win-win for everyone.’’

Sculpture in the Garden is on until 30 April 2023. There is a range of free events and activities for all ages on offer across the exhibition period including the chance to contribute to an ephemeral sculpture by Sculptor in Residence Julie Nash, participate in an Artists Walk and Talk and to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Full details of the program of events is available on the Wollongong Botanic Garden and Council’s websites or by visiting wollongong.nsw.gov.au/sculpture