Take a stroll along the banks of the Cudgegong River in Lawson Park West, starting at Mudgee Arts Precinct and enjoy works provided by Sculptures in the Garden acquisitions & Mid-Western Regional Council’s public art collection.
View a range of sculptures created using a variety of materials and techniques that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the park with its picturesque backdrop of riverbank.
The Lawson Park Sculpture Walk is a community initiative that began in 2013 thanks to Sculptures in the Garden (SIG). SIG is a not-for-profit sculpture event held annually at Rosby Wines & Gallery with sculptures from this quality event donated to the community and adding to the Mudgee Region’s growing public art collection.
This outdoor sculpture walk includes winning acquisition prizes from Sculptures in the Garden that are funded in partnership with Mid-Western Regional Council. Other donors include Friends of SIG and Moolarben Coal, as well as various private donors. The walk also includes a couple of acquisitions by Mid-Western Regional Council from the Rylstone Wood Symposium.
Artist statement: Encounter is a modern interpretation of a diving whale. Material/s: 316 Stainless steel Acquisition year: 2021Acquired by:…
Artist statement: Encounter is a modern interpretation of a diving whale.
Material/s: 316 Stainless steel
Acquisition year: 2021
Acquired by: Sculptures in the Garden committee
Artist statement: Balancing the books is a single tree trunk that has been carved, to give the viewer an illusion of multiple pieces in a stack. The…
Artist statement: Balancing the books is a single tree trunk that has been carved, to give the viewer an illusion of multiple pieces in a stack. The way it is carved creates a trussed beam that he has been using in his work for the last few years.
Material/s: Stringybark
Acquisition year: 2020
Acquired by: MWRC & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: As a child, my grandma told me a story from Wallachian mythology about a bird man who lived with and could speak the bird language,…
Artist statement: As a child, my grandma told me a story from Wallachian mythology about a bird man who lived with and could speak the bird language, and this how I visualised and dreamt about him. Then and now.
Material/s: Wood
Acquisition year: 2022
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: This sculpture can be whatever you see. So many times we see an artist painting In a park or garden and say 'I always wanted to do…
Artist statement: This sculpture can be whatever you see. So many times we see an artist painting In a park or garden and say 'I always wanted to do that'.
Material/s: flat steel sheet, angle iron, round pipe
Acquisition year: 2016
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
Artist statement: I have created this sculpture by weaving steel around the shapes of individual rocks, following the contours, aiming to show an…
Artist statement: I have created this sculpture by weaving steel around the shapes of individual rocks, following the contours, aiming to show an expression of revealing thoughtfulness that is pensive in manner, contemplating our current situation.
Material/s: Granite, sandstone, rhyolite, slate & steel
Acquisition year: 2021
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: 'Ahead' is our guardian. She was intended to be the head for 'Transition', the largest work I have built to date, however it was…
Artist statement: 'Ahead' is our guardian. She was intended to be the head for 'Transition', the largest work I have built to date, however it was too large, meaning the finished sculpture would not fit within the confines of the studio roof! 'Ahead' became a work on its own right… ‘we were not behind but ahead!’. And 'Transition' went on to win Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe WA. Artist represented by King Street Gallery on William.
Material/s: Steel
Acquisition year: 2021
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: Is this bird ever going to fly? Material/s: Ironbark Acquisition year: 2019Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: Is this bird ever going to fly?
Material/s: Ironbark
Acquisition year: 2019
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: 'Humans are born wired for connection – it's in our DNA'. My interpretation of that connection. Material/s: Steel Acquisition year:…
Artist statement: 'Humans are born wired for connection – it's in our DNA'. My interpretation of that connection.
Material/s: Steel
Acquisition year: 2020
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: A meeting of the primordial in a changing environment. Material/s: Cementitious grout, steel, sealant & paint Acquisition…
Artist statement: A meeting of the primordial in a changing environment.
Material/s: Cementitious grout, steel, sealant & paint
Acquisition year: 2020
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
Artist statement: The lines go this way, then they go that way and then they intersect, much like life. Material/s: Steel pipe Acquisition year:…
Artist statement: The lines go this way, then they go that way and then they intersect, much like life.
Material/s: Steel pipe
Acquisition year: 2017
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
We loved these modern day kangaroos and you will too if you visit Mudgee's beautiful Sculpture Walk in Lawson Park where you can see this…
We loved these modern day kangaroos and you will too if you visit Mudgee's beautiful Sculpture Walk in Lawson Park where you can see this sculpture.
Material/s: Corten steel
Acquisition year: 2018
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Artist statement: People gather in many different ways, for many different reasons. Material/s: Mild steel Acquisition year: 2017Acquired by:…
Artist statement: People gather in many different ways, for many different reasons.
Material/s: Mild steel
Acquisition year: 2017
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: There are two concepts to this piece. The first is the sun rising over the horizon, and the second is the inner flame we all have…
Artist statement: There are two concepts to this piece. The first is the sun rising over the horizon, and the second is the inner flame we all have to give us the fighting spirit to keep going even through the toughest times, such as drought.
Material/s: Recycled farm machinery and sandstone
Acquisition year: 2018
Acquired by: Moolarben acquisition
Artist statement: This work depicts a barefooted individual, traversing the Australian desert. Channelling the sensation of freedom, the runner…
Artist statement: This work depicts a barefooted individual, traversing the Australian desert. Channelling the sensation of freedom, the runner endures the unrelenting extreme elements in order to reach their goals, always wanting to create adventure and achieve.
Material/s: Corten steel
Acquisition year: 2021
Acquired by: Moolarben acquisition
Artist statement: 'I Beam' is an abstract construction playing with balance and space! Material/s: Stringybark Acquisition year: 2019Acquired by:…
Artist statement: 'I Beam' is an abstract construction playing with balance and space!
Material/s: Stringybark
Acquisition year: 2019
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
Artist statement: I was taken with a drawing by Kentridge some time ago and loved the ambiguity I read into it. I hoped to catch the tension of the…
Artist statement: I was taken with a drawing by Kentridge some time ago and loved the ambiguity I read into it. I hoped to catch the tension of the dance of 'love' in this work. I used the base to enhance the sculptural rhythm of the work and the shape to add to the idea of moving apart, then back again.
Material/s: Bronze/wood
Acquisition year: 2015
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
Artist statement: A series of stylised totems, strong reminders that no matter where we stand on the planet there were people and cultures and…
Artist statement: A series of stylised totems, strong reminders that no matter where we stand on the planet there were people and cultures and gentler footprints here before us. We need to respect the land and cultures that we now occupy for we are here but a short while.
Material/s: 100% recycled steel (5 pieces)
Acquisition year: 2019
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Always mindful of the inherent qualities of nature, Topolnicki's work often reflects his deep research into subject and materiality. Material/s:…
Always mindful of the inherent qualities of nature, Topolnicki's work often reflects his deep research into subject and materiality.
Material/s: Wood
Acquisition year: 2015
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council via the Rylstone Wood Symposium
Artist statement: This work represents a slice of fruit – the void forming the memory/imprint of the seed. It rotates in the breeze on a bearing…
Artist statement: This work represents a slice of fruit – the void forming the memory/imprint of the seed. It rotates in the breeze on a bearing attached to the post in the ground.
Acquisition year: 2013
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: To watch the sky at night is to see many wondrous things. Many stars fall across the heavens, some to die in a blaze of glory.…
Artist statement: To watch the sky at night is to see many wondrous things. Many stars fall across the heavens, some to die in a blaze of glory. Shooting stars; a spectacle of brilliance; fizzing, spinning sparks that disappear into the darkness; a powerful force that man cannot control. The trail of sparks behind the spinning stars have been hand forged. The stand represents the earth. It has been coated with a rust protecting lacquer and will not lose its shine.
Material/s: Steel & mechanical parts
Acquisition year: 2013
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: Life is hard and very rarely the stars all align at the same time. This piece is about doing your best with what you have and…
Artist statement: Life is hard and very rarely the stars all align at the same time. This piece is about doing your best with what you have and taking the plunge.
Material/s: 5mm flat mild steel
Acquisition year: 2016
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: I am endlessly inspired by the equine forms capturing the inherent beauty and powerful presence. My major work aims to capture this…
Artist statement: I am endlessly inspired by the equine forms capturing the inherent beauty and powerful presence. My major work aims to capture this with lengths of steel rods carefully welded together following the muscular stature of the horse.
Material/s: Steel rods
Acquisition year: 2022
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: With this cube stack I have arranged the blocks higher and larger than before but have purposely allowed the material to wobble,…
Artist statement: With this cube stack I have arranged the blocks higher and larger than before but have purposely allowed the material to wobble, giving the sense that it could all come tumbling down if provoked. The rust finish along with being resistant to the elements also represents the passing of time or age. The cube elements represent perfect units all the same in form and size piled too high by unseen hands.
Material/s: Mild steel, chemical rust patina
Acquisition year: 2014
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: A map of place and memory, seen a hundred times or more in all the towns we visit. Material/s: Steel Acquisition year: 2017Acquired…
Artist statement: A map of place and memory, seen a hundred times or more in all the towns we visit.
Material/s: Steel
Acquisition year: 2017
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Using a combination of stainless steel and rosewood, this work is without a doubt the most functional of all public art in Lawson Park. Take a break…
Using a combination of stainless steel and rosewood, this work is without a doubt the most functional of all public art in Lawson Park. Take a break mid-way through your sculpture walk to relax on this impressive park bench and enjoy the scenery.
Material/s: Stainless steel & New Guinea rosewood
Acquisition year: 2014
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
'Turbosphere' by Jim Cross is an abstract welded steel sphere from recycled materials. Material/s: Abstract welded steel sphere from recycled…
'Turbosphere' by Jim Cross is an abstract welded steel sphere from recycled materials.
Material/s: Abstract welded steel sphere from recycled materials
Acquisition year: 2015
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: It is nice to see the reflections of the surroundings in the stainless steel balls by the movement of the wind. Material/s: Steel,…
Artist statement: It is nice to see the reflections of the surroundings in the stainless steel balls by the movement of the wind.
Material/s: Steel, brass and stainless steel. Powder coated.
Acquisition year: 2015
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Artist statement: My sculptural compositions acknowledge an architectural quality, which stems from my interest in design, architecture and…
Artist statement: My sculptural compositions acknowledge an architectural quality, which stems from my interest in design, architecture and construction with the emphasis on the vertical, referencing totems and figures.
Material/s: Marble, steel, paint
Acquisition year: 2018
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Committee
Statement: Another work from the Rylstone Wood Symposium, this piece was created using only a chainsaw.Material/s: Ribbon Gum Acquisition year:…
Statement: Another work from the Rylstone Wood Symposium, this piece was created using only a chainsaw.
Material/s: Ribbon Gum
Acquisition year: 2015
Acquired by: Mid-Western Regional Council as part of the Rylstone Wood Symposium
Images credit: Amber Hooper @ AmberCreative
Below is a list of additional sculpture acquisitions which are on display around the Mudgee Region and for the public to enjoy at their leisure:
'Acacia' – Ulan Murray (Bega)
Location:
Mid-Western Regional Council Chambers
86 Market St, Mudgee
Open Mon-Fri // 8:30am - 4:30pm
Materials: recycled copper and steel
Acquisition year: 2014
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
'Familia' – Bridget Whitehead (Cardiff Heights)
Location:
In the grounds of the Cultural Workshops
Best viewed through the back courtyard at 65 Short St, Mudgee
Artist statement: Nurture connection. Embrace your family; myths, laws, humour and language.
Materials: Oamaru limestone
Acquisition year: 2022
Acquired by: Moolarben Acquisition
'Josephine' – John Fitzmaurice (Avoca)
Location:
Lower foyer of Mudgee Arts Precinct (near the stairs)
90 Market Street, Mudgee
Open 7 days // 9:00am - 5:00pm
Artist statement: The sculpture was inspired by the traditional Art Deco figurines that were common place in most households. I’ve purposely given the piece a hard edge and a modern twist, through the use of polished stainless steel together with angular abstraction.
Materials: 316 Stainless Steel with Sydney Blue Gum Plinth
Acquisition year: 2016
Acquired by: Friends of Sculptures in the Garden
Mid-Western Regional Council & Sculptures in the Garden Sculptures Walk
The Lawson Park sculpture walk came to be after Sculptures in the Garden (SIG) founder, Kay Norton-Knight, along with the exhibition committee in 2012, proposed the idea to have the winning artworks of past Sculptures in the Garden displayed along the banks of the Cudgegong river in the form of public art. The Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC) deemed it a worthy suggestion and so began a partnership between Sculptures in the Garden & Mid-Western Regional Council.
In 2013, SIG and MWRC equally funded a $15,000 acquisition prize to purchase an artwork from the exhibition. The following year, Moolarben came on board and donated $5,000 for another acquisition prize and continued donating this prize for the past 10 years.
In 2015, the SIG committee initiated 'Friends of Sculptures in the Garden' with the goal of raising funds to offer another acquisition prize for exhibiting artists. In 2016, 'Friends of SIG' raised enough money for a $5,000 acquisition prize and in 2017 enough money for a $10,000 prize. This prize has remained $10,000 ever since.
The original public art display established in Lawson Park in Mudgee has now extended to sites in Rylstone, Gulgong and the grounds of the Mudgee Hospital.
In 2020, John Fitzmaurice submitted his magnificent 316 polished stainless-steel masterpiece 'Encounter' into SIG. Fitzmaurice wasn't successful in securing an acquisition prize that year, however in 2021, the Sculptures in the Garden committee purchased the work to donate to the newly constructed Mudgee Arts Precinct. The donation symbolises a special connection between Sculptures in the Garden and arts in the Central West; it's placement linking the precinct to the Sculpture Walk in Lawson Park. It also represents the opportunity and possibilities for recognition that SIG can offer to artists. The $48,000 purchase was wholly funded by Sculptures in the Garden. In 2022, the committee commissioned two more works to be donated to the MWRC. These works 'Second Sun' by Rylstone artist Alex Scheibner and 'Rufus', a corten steel kangaroo by Victorian artist Matt Hill, were installed in Rylstone and Gulgong, respectively.
Sculptures in the Garden is a not for profit organisation who exist to provide public art for the community to enjoy and we leave an ongoing legacy in the form of sculpture throughout Mudgee and the region, featuring winning acquisition artworks.
The Lawson Park sculpture walk is a legacy to the region from the SIG event. We want as many people as possible to enjoy the amazing artworks created for SIG, and the permanent art display that is the sculpture walk, provides this opportunity to engage all the greater community as well as visitors to the region
Rosby Wines // 122 Strikes Lane, Mudgee
Sat 12 Oct 2024 - Sun 27 Oct 2024
Sculptures in the Garden is an exciting event that combines garden design, large scale Australian sculpture and traditional art mediums in beautiful rural surroundings within a private garden and vineyard in Mudgee.
Now in its 13th year, Sculptures in the Garden is Mudgee and regional NSW’s largest and most renowned outdoor sculpture exhibition. The outdoor exhibition runs for 16 days. Sculptures in the Garden has become a hallmark event on the Central West’s artistic calendar and major tourist attraction, showcasing sculptures from emerging and established artists.
Founded by art director and owner of Rosby, Kay Norton-Knight, Sculptures in the Garden was her dream child. Kay was passionate about providing a new and unique platform for the exhibition and sale of sculptors' works.
For more information about Sculptures in the Garden, head to their website.
Click here for the full list of past winners & acquisitions.
Sign up to Mudgee Region we'll send you our latest events and deals in the region. No spam, promise!
