Blenheim Gallery Shape in Spaces Sculpture Prize and Exhibition

Blenheim Gallery is very pleased to announce the finalist sculptors who will take part in the 2023 Blenheim Gallery Shapes in Spaces $10000 Sculpture Prize and exhibition which commences on Saturday 25 November 2023

There will be an exhibition of numerous works by these artists who have additionally nominated a piece or pieces to form part of the judging process for the prize.

The finalists are:-

Anita Denholm

Ben Beames

Craig Ashton

David Fitzpatrick

Gene McLaren

Geoff Farquar – Still

Lucy McEachern

Paul Brunyee

Sue Stevenson

Wayne Hudson

Pete Mattila

 Also in the exhibition Matthew Sloane

JUDGES  2023

Blenheim Gallery is very pleased to announce the judges for 2023 for Blenheim Gallery Shapes in Spaces Sculpture Prize 2023.  Ashley Bird, Senior Curator of Art and Design at QVMAG Launceston and Rebecca Birrell artist and Principal Designer at Birrelli art + design + architecture, have very kindly offered to jointly judge these major sculpture Awards for 2023.

This prize will be announced on Saturday 25 November at 2pm simultaneously with the opening of the exhibition of sculptural works at Blenheim Gallery. 

 Ashley Bird  

With more than a decade of experience in commercial galleries across Australia, and through education in creative practice at the University of Tasmania, Ashley has developed a rich career in the arts and cultural sector.

Originally hailing from Melbourne, Ashley first started his career in garment construction, leading to a career path across the industries of film and television.

 Since moving to Tasmania and becoming a Curator for the Visual Art and Design collection at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Ashley has remained a passionate professional custodian of the unique collection at QVMAG.

As a practicing artist, Ashley is committed to nurturing and fostering the creativity of Tasmanians through the QVMAG collection, now and in the future. 

 Rebecca Birrell

Rebecca is an artist and Principal Designer at Birrelli art + design + architecture, where she works across fine art, graphic design, environmental sculptural interpretation, interior design and visual identity. Her design practice is currently in its 25th year and she has been the recipient of over 30 design awards.

 She is a practicing artist who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in sculpture, now working in silversmithing and wearable art.

Rebecca is the Chair and President of Junction Arts Festival, a festival of art, performance and music held annually at the Spring Equinox. In addition, she is an internationally recognised professional cartomancer and content creator.

She is an avid art collector and passionate supporter of the Arts, who has previously been a multi-year judge for the Interpretation Australia Awards of Excellence and Artentwine Sculpture Prize.