Selected for the Sawmillers Sculpture Prize 2022, my work, ‘Markers and Relics of a Maritime History’ responds to the sites maritime history echoing existing remnants of industrial heritage. Acting as a shrine, six concrete sculptures embedded with ceramic shards and shells herald statuary of ancient water deities and support bowls contaning water. The sculpture exhibition is held at Sawmillers Reserve, McMahon's Point, North Sydney, an initiative of Elsa Atkin AM, Cultural Management Consultant. exhibiting alongside, Harrie Fasher, Ron Robertson-Swann, Richard Goodwin, John Petrie, Paul Selwood and Michael Snape.

ARTIST STATEMENT :

"This work acts as a shrine to the maritime history of Sawmillers Reserve. Echoing existing remnants of an industrial heritage of this site. These six concrete sculptures embedded with shells and ceramic shards suggest ancient relics.

Consisting of carved foam structures covered in cement, they herald statuary of three ancient water deities and three concrete stands support three vessels or bowls which contain water.

The sculptures are painted and sealed with vivid artificial colours which reference an industrial history, such as acidic yellows and rusty reds. This is in contrast to soft natural blues contained within the interior of the bowls that are accompanied by water. The work is a juxtaposition of the constructed and the natural, the introduced and the indigenous.

The sculptures are arranged in a configuration of a star constellation, laid out as markers, they navigate ships to the safety of this harbour setting."

'Markers and Relics of a Maritime History', cement, foam scultures with embedded shella and ceramic shards, holding water, installation 80 x 200 x 300 cm, 2022