Finalist, Deakin Small Sculpture Award

Dance of the Deep

My Seaweed paper sculpture Dance of the Deep was selected as a finalist in the 2021 Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award!

This is exciting for me, as it is the first time that I have had work in a sculpture competition. I am a relatively new to sculpture, and I still think of myself as a painter, albeit of sometimes 3 dimensional works! But I am starting to get used to being called a sculptor.

My work is made from multiple different Tasmanian seaweeds which were individually processed to form a variety of pulps. The different pulps were combined in water to form the paper pieces for the dress, which were dried, connected to form the dress, and then stiffened.

Dance of the Deep alludes to the joy I experience whilst immersed in the ocean’s waters. The ocean provides me with physical, emotional and spiritual nourishment. It supplies the inspiration for my art practice, and is the source of the unpredictable, surprising, extraordinary medium of macroalgae for my papermaking process.

Dance of the Deep

marine macroalgae paper

69 x 49 x 43 cm

Organised by the Art Collection and Galleries Unit at Deakin University, this prestigious acquisitive award and exhibition recognises and supports excellence in contemporary sculpture practise. The award winning sculpture will become part of Deakin University’s Art Collection.

The sculptures can be in any medium but should be free standing. They must be no more than 70 cm in any dimension and less than 30 kilograms in weight (including the stand).  My sculpture weighs 100gm!

The virtual announcement of the winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award will take place on Wednesday 24 November. The exhibition will open to the public on Tuesday 16 November and close on Wednesday 15 December 2021.  The gallery will be open from Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm during this period.

To enquire about purchasing Dance of the Deep please contact here.