Sculptures@theHouse, curated by the Director and CEO the National Art School, celebrates emerging and established New South Wales sculptors.  It brings to Government House a freshness, juxtaposing the truly contemporary with the much-valued heritage status of the site in sympathetic and engaging ways.

Australia (2001)

Sculptor: Paul Selwood

Medium/Materials: Hot zinc sprayed steel. 2 pack polyurethane paint

Artist's Object Statement:

After drawing mountain profiles in the Wollombi Valley, I began to model sculptures derived from landscape forms which were cut from a flat plate of steel. A process of slotting the plates together provided a secure stance against the force of gravity while at the same time enclosing volumes of space which could be read as valleys. All the plates stand vertical to the ground and collect and reflect sunshine in a dramatic animation through the day.

For further information visit the sculptor's website.

Parterre (2013)

Sculptor: Paul Selwood

Medium/Materials: Steel. 2 pack polyurethane paint.

Artists Object Statement:

My working method is a personal one of play and observation and improvisation. A process of discovering the sculpture rather than illustrating an idea, so I am looking for formal invention as the content and meaning of the work.

For further information visit the sculptor's website.

Shallows (2016)

Sculptor: James Rogers

Medium/Materials: Welded steel. Wax and oil finish.

Artist's Object Statement:

A poly-rhythmic composition of elements cut from steel pipe. With counterpoint of concave and convex tonality of linear and volume elements. The sculpture seeks to submerge the viewer below the waves into a blue world of turbulent transparency, a space of peace in surrender.

For further information visit the sculptor's website.

Stack (2016)

Sculptor: Clara Hali

Medium/Materials: Bronze

Artist's Object Statement:

‘Stack’ is about the integration of geology and yoga in figurative form. The landscape acts as a metaphor for the duality of fragility and strength in humans, while yoga represents the potential union with humans. ‘Stack’ is about the precarious balance of human life in the form of a figure in the pose of a headstand.

Nijinsky (2022)

Inaugural winner of the prestigious new Governor’s Prize* at Sculptures in the Vineyards.

Sculptor: Ron Robertson Swan OAM

Medium/Materials: Steel, painted

Artist's Object Statement:

'Nijinsky' references the celebrated Russian ballet dancer. When he leaps in the air, there’s a point where he seems to be suspended … I thought that was a property sculpture could aspire to. 

'Nijinsky' defies gravity. 'Nijinsky' leaps. 'Nijinsky's poise appear to defy gravity.

The English critic and writer Walter Pater (1839-1894) wrote, among many dicta, the suggestion that all art should approach the 'condition' of music, which is close to my thoughts and sensibility.

Then, in the early part of the 20^th century, Picasso's collage and wall constructions along with the 'Synthetic' cubists works opened up a new world for me, along with the works of Julio Gonzalez (who welded Picasso's sculptures). This is the beginning of Modern sculpture.

The properties of all these considerations was that sculpture embraced space and, unlike earlier sculpture, did not merely displace space ... unlike most traditional sculpture which is predominantly vertical.

The shaping of space as well as the relationship of the elements of sculpture is why the best sculpture looks like it does.

* In 2020, following a visit to the Sculpture in the Vineyards festival, the Governor accepted an invitation to become Patron of the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival, initiating The Governor’s Prize.