National and international artists will be able to vie for a Northern Tasmanian biennial sculpture prize for the first time.
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The West Tamar Art Group’s Tasmanian Artentwine has undergone several changes to encourage more artists to enter.
The prize money has received a boost and artists will be able to send 90cm maquettes, or small scale models, of their sculptures to contest the prize.
West Tamar mayor Christina Holmdahl said opening up the prize to international and national artists was a “real game changer”.
“Undoubtedly this year’s Artentwine is the most ambitious ever and I believe will reset the bar for future festivals,” Cr Holmdahl said.
The changes were made to attract more entrants by making it easier to enter the prize, she said.
“The increase in the prizemoney puts it up with some of the best known sculpture prizes in Australia,” Cr Holmdahl said.
Artentwine Sculpture Biennial is set at five family-owned vineyard around the Tamar Valley.
Artentwine curator Patrick Sutczak said the sculpture prize presented an opportunity for artists to use their creativity and reflect life in the region.
Last year, 20 large-scale works were distributed amongst the vineyard, Mr Sutczak said.
He had about four months to decide where each of the sculptures would be set.
Mr Sutczak said by extending the applications to artists outside the state, he hoped it would attract more people to visit the state.
The Artentwine Sculpture Biennial first started in 2010 and was originally based in one vineyard.
This year, four prizes will be vied for including the West Tamar Council Acquisitive Prize of $20,000 and the Bell Bay Aluminium Small Sculpture Prize of $5000.
Petuna Seafoods people’s choice award of $1000 and the mayor’s personal award of $1000 are also on offer as part of the sculpture prize.
Bass Liberal MHA Sarah Courtney officially launched the prize and opened entries.
About 750 people were estimated to visit the West Tamar during the shoulder season because of the sculpture prize, Ms Courtney said.
The Liberals have made a $20,000 one-off pledge to Artentwine Sculpture Biennial.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
