Contempora Sculpture Award

Director's Message

Welcome to the second Contempora2 Sculpture Award at Docklands and in particular, welcome to the exhibiting artists. As Director of this Festival of sculpture I am extremely thrilled that Contempora2 has received recognition as an important event on the ‘Events in Melbourne’ calendar.
This year, judges Karl Fender and Ken Scarlett together with Curator Malcolm Thomson have selected works by some of Australia’s leading, established and emerging contemporary artists. Positioned along the Waterfront City Boardwalk and through the Piazza and along the NewQuay Promenade, these works will be on public display for five weeks from 8 February until 12 March 2007.

2007 introduces three cash awards to the exhibition

$10,000 2007 Contempora2 Sculpture Award
$3,500 2007 Contempora2 Sculpture Encouragement Award
$1,500 2007 Contempora2 Sculpture Public Choice Award

Winners will be announced at the Official Opening held on 8 February 2007 at the James Squire Brewhouse, Waterfront City. Public Choice Award winner, sponsored by NewQuay (MAB Corporation), will be notified and publicly announced at the conclusion of the Festival.

I am grateful to our two very distinguished judges for the 2007 Award and thank them for taking on these important key roles.

"Sea, sky, cafes, restaurants - and sculpture! Contempora2 is a bonus, a wonderful addition to the visually exciting range of Australian sculpture at Docklands!"

Ken Scarlett
Distinguished curator, writer and educator

"New Quay in the Docklands is Melbourne's art infused face to the waterfront, and is therefore the perfect setting to host Contempora2 and the talent of Melbourne's finest sculptors."

Karl Fender
Director of Fender Katsalidis
Architects for MAB Corporation’s
NewQuay Development.

This year, the major sponsors of Contempora2 are VicUrban and the City of Melbourne. I would like to sincerely thank them for their assistance and financial support. I would also like to thank Waterfront City for their generous support, the James Squire Brewhouse for providing the venue for our Official Opening and NewQuay (MAB Corporation) for sponsoring the Public Choice Award.

I thank all our generous ‘in kind’ supporters - EXA Business Technology, Coates Hire, McLabour Hire, Tourism Victoria, Yarra Trams, WHERE Magazine, Newsfront and Evergreen, David Rice Sculpture Transport, Craftsmen Press and Art Gallery Guide.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Patron of Contempora2, the Hon Jeffrey Kennett AC. Jeff’s continued support has been the foundation of my desire to drive Contempora2 into this exciting next stage of development. It is a great privilege to present Contempora2. I hope it will be as exciting for you, as it will be for me.

Margaret Harris
Director