Mr Hudson takes home $5000 from Bell Bay Aluminium, as well as $20,000 from the West Tamar Council to turn the model of his sculpture into a public artwork one-and-a-half metres in diameter. 

The maquettes – small sculptures – submitted for the competition are on display at five wineries in the Tamar Valley: Goaty Hill, Iron Pot Bay, Holm Oak, Moores Hill, and Tamar Ridge Wines. 

Mr Hudson’s maquette can be viewed at Holm Oak, Rowella. 

The competition was opened to national and international artists this year with 40 entries submitted, but it was still won by a local. Mr Hudson was born in Burnie and works out of his home studio in Invermay. 

He said his sculpture was a representation of community. 

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“Pledged is visually in the form of a ring, which is derived from the traditional formal connection that people make when forming a bond with one another,” he said. 

“That same pledge is evident within communities, especially when hard times have crept in. Communities work together to become stronger, sometimes joining with other communities to create even more strength.”

It is made of concrete covered in brushed stainless steel and inlaid with gold and silver glass, mimicking abalone shells. A light source is positioned below to shine into the upper part of the sculpture. 

Artentwine was judged by Dr Natasha Cica, former director, Heide Museum; Michael Edwards, director, Contemporary Arts Tasmania; and Ashleigh Whatling, curator of visual art and design, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

Still to be judged are the $1000 Christina Holmdahl prize, selected by the mayor of the West Tamar Council, and the $1000 Petuna Seafood People’s Choice. 

The maquette works will be on display at the wineries throughout October and November, and Mr Hudson’s final full-size work will be displayed at an as yet undecided public location.

Mr Hudson said it was the third time he had entered the competition, and the first time he had any luck.

“It was quite a shock, and I was also quite excited that it was a local,” he said. 

His sculptures will also be exhibited at Unconformity in Queenstown this month.

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