Deakin Art Gallery $15k Small Sculpture Award winner announced

Selected from a record number of 646 entries, Brad was named the winner of the annual $15,000 prize by Deakin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, at a ceremony held at the University's Burwood Campus Art Gallery on Wednesday 28 August.

The award recognises small scale sculpture works, with entries limited to 70cm in size in any direction.

Professor Martin said the Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, now in its 15^th year, had built a reputation as a prestigious nation-wide competition.

'We had more than 200 more entries than in 2023, from across Australia – this demonstrates that the Award is highly regarded and an increasingly coveted prize,' Professor Martin said.

'Awards like these are so important in providing opportunities and recognition to both emerging and established artists.'

Deakin University Art Gallery Senior Manager, Leanne Willis, was joined on the judging panel by artist, curator and performance collaborator Todd Fuller and Curator of Whitehorse Artspace Marguerite Brown.

The judging panel noted the winning work "is seductive, luring you in before revealing its strong conceptual underpinnings and interrogation of gender. The narrative is inclusive and welcoming. Formally, the piece is surprising, it offers a balancing of the bulbous figure on the thin spindly legs highlighting the fragility of the piece, while the revealing front and back takes advantage of the sculptural medium effectively. The piece demands an emotional connection or (if you could) a hug for support."

Also announced on the evening was a Highly Commended, non-acquisitive $3000 award. The winner of this award was Elvis Richardson with her work, An Unsolved Study "The Funeral".

All awards in the competition are supported by the Community Bank at Deakin University.

Professor Martin said the University was very proud of its art collection and close association with Australia's arts community.

'It is an important part of our support of innovation and excellence, and our desire to make a positive impact both socially and culturally,' Professor Martin said.

'Congratulations to this year's finalists for their hard work and dedication. And of course, congratulations to the winner, Brad Gunn, for an incredibly skilful and resonant piece, and Elvis Richardson for winning the Highly Commended prize.'

The Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award exhibition is showing at Deakin University Art Gallery, Building FA, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood from Thursday 29 August to Friday 11 October, 2024, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm