2018 Montalto Sculpture Prize

A celebration of sculpture on the last Sunday of summer:
The 2018 Montalto Sculpture Prize, one of the most valuable private sculpture prizes in Australia.
 
The winner of the Montalto Sculpture Prize will be announced on Sunday 25 February at a celebration of sculpture and design, open to the public, on the picturesque Montalto estate.
 
2018 marks the 16th year of the Montalto Sculpture Prize, it is among the most valuable private sculpture prizes in Australia. The winning artist receives $30,000 and the winning piece becomes part of the stunning Sculpture Trail on the Montalto estate at Red Hill.
 
Judges met in November to review first round entries and determine the short list, ultimately inviting 23 finalists to exhibit their work at Montalto. At the end of January, over a period of four days, the artists’ work is installed.
 
Montalto’s Heidi Williams said: “Our creative director, Neil Williams, sites the works and assists the artists with installation which can sometimes mean forklifting or craning sculptures in place or digging enormous holes on the estate. It’s an energetic time but one that we all look forward to – to see the new group of sculptures rising on the landscape.” 
 
The 23 finalists in the 2018 Montalto Sculpture Prize are: Marynes Avila - Dean Bowen - Ben Carroll - Mela Cooke - Mark Cuthbertson - Ralf Driessen - John Fitzmaurice - Martin George - Jim Hamilton - Matthew Harding - Judy Holding - Rudi Jass - Shane Magree - Mike Nicholls - Astra Parker - James Parrett - Jimmy Rix - Nicholas Uhlmann - Ian Waldron - David Waters - Christabel Wigley - David Wood.
 
This year the judging panel includes John Mitchell (Montalto owner), Peter Williams (founding director of Williams Boag architects), Kelly Gellatly (Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne), Phillip Doggett-Williams (contemporary sculptor and educator), and a guest judge to be announced.
 
Kelly Gellatly explains what the judges are looking for this year: “It’s a privilege to be involved in the shortlisting and judging of the Montalto Sculpture Prize and this year’s selection highlights both the ambitions and diversity of sculptural practice across the country at this time. The work of the 23 finalists addresses a range of different issues and concerns, is conceptually and technically strong, and will be realised in a broad range of materials. I have no doubt that these new sculptures will provide a wonderful experience for visitors in the beautiful landscape of Montalto.”
 
 
All of the finalist pieces – apart from the winner - will be available for purchase.
 
Also announced on Sunday 25 February will be the Mitchell Family Choice Award, a $1,000 non-acquisitive prize awarded to the piece that most resonates with the Mitchell family of Montalto.
 
2018 Montalto Sculpture Prize event details:
Sunday 25 February, opening 3 - 5 with the announcement at 4.  The Exhibition is open daily 11-5.
We recommend allowing one hour to enjoy the sculptures throughout the property. Entry is free.
 
The Piazza Café and Cellar Door will be open along with the Montalto Restaurant. The award-winning Montalto Restaurant was recently redesigned to focus on fire with the introduction of an Asado grill. Diners at the Montalto Restaurant will experience the strong connection between the menu and the Montalto estate kitchen garden - now expanded to almost four acres.