Italian artwork lifts our gardens
NOOSA Stone Sculpture Bequest winner Hew Chee Fong celebrated the installation of his sculpture, The Journey, at Noosa Botanic Gardens on July 3 with a crowd of about 60 art enthusiasts.
Division 12 councillor Tony Wellington said the Noosa Stone Sculpture Bequest, administered by Sunshine Coast Council and generously funded by an anonymous donor, established a unique Carrara connection for Australian sculptors.
"The bequest will create a magnificent stone sculpture walk within the Noosa Botanic Gardens that will add to the existing attractive features of the beautiful gardens on the edge of Lake MacDonald," Cr Wellington said.
"The bequest enabled Hew Chee Fong to undertake a two-month workshop and residency at Studio Corsanini in Carrara, Italy.
"Carrara is known world-wide for its spectacular marble and international community of sculptors.
"The Journey is the second sculpture to be acquired through the bequest for the Stone Sculpture Walk at the gardens."
Talented stone sculptor Hew Chee Fong said he was extremely honoured The Journey would be showcased at the Noosa Botanic Gardens for all to enjoy.
"To be immersed in a cultural heartland such as Carrara and to experience the broader context and application of international contemporary sculpture is definitely a life-changing experience that has broadened my horizons," Fong said.
"As an abstract sculptor I have used symbolism to depict my response to the bequest's concept brief on the theme, The Emotions of a Lifetime."
Locals and visitors were welcome to join the 2011 bequest's lead judge and noted sculptor Dr Rhyl Hinwood, who exchanged thoughts with Fong on Saturday at Noosa Regional Gallery.
They explored his experience at Studio Corsanini and the talk was supported by a display of images of his two-month workshop and residency.
It was a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn more about the Carrara connection that the Noosa Stone Sculpture Bequest offered to mid-career stone sculptors.
Entries for the 2013 Noosa Stone Sculpture Bequest are open and close on September 30.
Details for prospective entrants are available at noosastonebequest.org.au.
