Sculpture Bermagui is back better than ever, and with a few new twists

Sculpture Bermagui grows stronger by the year, sustaining a record level of entries, and securing renowned sculptor David Jensz as judge of the major prize. It is benefitting from partnerships with other community art organisations, as well as great support from local businesses.

Capturing the Victorian and Canberra long weekends over 8 to 16 March, Sculpture Bermagui will see the headland studded with 86 outstanding sculptures under the gaze of sacred Mother Mountain Gulaga and against the backdrop of the sparkling sapphire waters of Horseshoe Bay.

A further 117 sculptures will be exhibited at the Bermagui Surf Club and at Shop 7 at Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf.

Sculpture Bermagui president Ivan Baker is blown away by the diversity of this year’s collection, curated by Victoria Nelson and Carolyn Killen. One of the larger works, for example, has 25 components.

Mr Baker enjoys the opportunity to meet the artists – several of whom regularly exhibit at Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea – and seeing outstanding works in Bermagui’s unique environment.

The quality of work is such that Sculpture Bermagui regularly attracts high calibre professional judges, such as Mr Jensz.

Mr Jensz’ practice spans studio-based works and public art commissions, and he has exhibited widely in Australia and overseas.

He has won prestigious awards and grants, and his work is in collections in Australia and abroad, including the National Gallery of Australia, university collections, and regional museums and galleries.

Sculpture Bermagui’s total prize pool this year is $50,000, split between 13 prizes including the People’s Choice Indoor and Outdoor prizes.

Thanks to a partnership with Four Winds, people will be able to view Warigamban, an installation by celebrated Walbunja and Monaro artist Cheryl Davison, following her residency and exhibition at Bundanon.

Warigamban, meaning a long time ago in the Dhurga language, is a large-scale sculptural and screen print installation that brings stories of Country, cultural practice, and Dreamtime to life through immersive visuals.

The installation will be at Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion on Saturday, 9 March, from 1 to 5 pm, and the following Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Ms Davison will give an artist talk at 2 pm on both Saturdays.

For the first time, Sculpture Bermagui sponsored a two-month artist-in-residency in partnership with Marina Ely, owner of Narra Bakulla, a property at Tanja with the sculpture collection of her father, the extraordinary sculptor Marr Grounds.

Visitors will have access to the sculpture collection, plus Margaret Seymour, artist and teacher at the National Art School in Sydney, will present an informal talk about her residency there. A Q and A session will follow at this open studio event on Sunday, 9 March.

Sculpture Bermagui 2025 opens at 9 am on 8 March. The official opening ceremony at 10 am will have a Welcome to Country by Uncle Warren Foster, plus Indigenous dancers on the headland.

The following day Gary and Paul Campbell will hold an Indigenous yarning tent from 11 am to 3 pm, near the marquee.

Mr Baker said Sculpture Bermagui was one of the few major sculpture exhibitions in Australia that was free.

It is also unusual in being held in the centre of town rather than on the outskirts, which facilitates local businesses being involved. Major sponsor Bermagui Beach Hotel, for example, will be exhibiting some works in the pub.

Sculpture Bermagui has also been well supported by South East Arts and Bega Valley Shire Council.

Original Article published by Marion Williams on About Regional.