McClelland launches Limited Edition Small Sculpture project

In its latest initiative to support artists in the wake of Covid-19, McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery has commissioned a series of limited edition small sculptures by leading Australian sculptors Vipoo Srivilasa, Clive Murray-White, Narelle White and Manon van Kouswijk. All made in 2021 and coming in under 50cm in height, the works are available for purchase in limited editions ranging from three to six, with prices from $1,200 to $6,400.

The commissions follow the gallery’s earlier initiative to provide financial support for artists struggling with the economic impact of the pandemic – the McClelland National Small Sculpture Awards 2020 for domestic scale works.

McClelland director, Lisa Byrne, said there was strong public interest in the Small Sculpture Awards last year, with many of the works available for sale and all proceeds from sales going to the artists.

“The Limited Edition Small Sculpture project allows McClelland to offer for sale domestic scale sculptures at affordable prices, which are keenly sought after.”

“It’s a great way to spread the joy of having beautiful artworks in the home while providing direct financial benefit to artists who have been hit hard by lockdowns,” Byrne said.

Vipoo Srivilasa’s work Little People features bronze with gold patina figurines, made during lockdown to help combat the artist’s feelings of isolation, representing the friends the artist longed to catch up with.

Featuring figures made from sand, clay and rock, Narelle White’s work Gentle Kin meanwhile employs biomorphic and geologic references to invite viewers to rethink our relationship with the matter that surrounds us.

Manon van Kouswijk’s work Beads for Building is designed to be mounted on a wall, using aluminium, sterling silver beads, automotive paint, and steel pins to explore the intersection of sculpture and jewellery objects.

Assisted Suiseki by Clive Murray-White is inspired by a 26,000,000-year-old piece of marbleised North Queensland coral reef, but cast in bronze to reimagine an ancient surface and reflect the artist’s Asian heritage through its resemblance to traditional ‘Scholar Rocks’.

McClelland has also commissioned a second round of small sculpture editions by Ronnie van Hout, Lisa Waup, Dominic White, and Beverly Meldrum, to be available before the end of the year to make up the full offering.

The first round of works are now available for purchase by contacting Jacqui Harris, Front of House at McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery, via email at jharris@mcclellandgallery.com or by phone at +61 3 97891671.

The McClelland Editions are supported by Creative Victoria through the Strategic Investment Fund 2.

This article was originally published 21 November 2021.

Image: Narelle White, Gentle Kin, 2021. Sand, clay, rock, 24 x 34cm. Courtesy: the artist. Photo: Mitch Pelns-Ross.