A celebration of small sculpture
Exhibition dates: 29 August–11 October 2024
The Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award was established in 2009 and is organised by the Art Collection and Galleries Unit at Deakin University, Victoria. The award celebrates contemporary sculptures from artists around Australia, culminating in an exhibition of finalists' work held in August to October each year at the Deakin University Art Gallery.
A panel, who changes composition each year, shortlist around 40 entries as finalists from an average of 300 entries that are received annually. The same panel then chooses a Winner and a Highly Commended. The winning work goes into the Deakin University Art Collection.
The finalist exhibition is held for a period of 6-8 weeks at the Deakin University Art Gallery on Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood campus. At the end of the exhibition, a People’s Choice winner is determined by vote from exhibition visitors and the winning artist is awarded a non-acquisitive cash prize.
Supported by Community Bank at Deakin University.
Call for Entries
Entries to the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture have now closed. Finalists were announced on 19 July 2024.
We are pleased to announce this year’s judging panel
Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award - 2024 Judges
Marguerite Brown
Curator, Whitehorse Artspace
Marguerite Brown is the Curator at Whitehorse City Council, managing the care and curatorship of the Whitehorse Art Collection and the exhibitions at Whitehorse Artspace. Marguerite is the former Director of the Print Council of Australia (2016-2023) and throughout her career has curated numerous exhibitions of contemporary Australian art in both the commercial gallery and not-for-profit sectors. In 2014 she was awarded the Harold Wright Scholarship to study prints and drawings at the British Museum, London. Over the past 20 years Marguerite has developed an avid art writing practice and has been published in leading Australian art publications, and the occasional book.
Todd Fuller
Artist/Curator/Performance Collaborator
Todd Fuller, a graduate of Sydney’s National Art School. He integrates sculpture, animation, drawing, performance, painting, and curatorship to construct layered, multidisciplinary narratives exploring themes of commonality and difference, power, gender, and place. Fuller has exhibited broadly across Australia and internationally with screenings and exhibitions in the United States, Rome, South Korea, Bangladesh, England, France and Singapore. He has participated in international residencies at the Cité Internationale Des Arts in Paris and the British School at Rome. Fuller has won many awards including the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Prize at Grafton Regional Art Gallery, Fisher's Ghost Contemporary Prize at Campbelltown Arts Centre, and has been a finalist in the Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In 2010, he received the Walker St Emerging Artist Prize, earning him a solo exhibition at Deakin University Art Gallery the following year. Additionally, he serves as a curator for Waverley Council in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Todd is represented by .M Contemporary.
Leanne Willis
Senior Manager, Art Collection and Galleries Deakin University
Leanne Willis is the Senior Manager Art Collection and Galleries at Deakin University. Since her appointment in 2017 she has had responsibility for the Deakin University Art Gallery, the Deakin University Art Collection and for managing the partnership with the NGV on behalf of the University. In a career spanning over 30 years in the arts industry, previous appointments include Director of the Shepparton Art Gallery for ten years (now known as SAM) and Director of Grafton Regional Gallery.
Frequently asked questions
Is the stand included in the measurements?
If the stand is needed to make the artwork free standing, it is included in the measurements and considered to be part of the artwork for the purpose of the size requirement. If the stand is integral to the work and the work must be attached to the stand then the stand is included in the measurements
Is the white display plinth included in the measurements?
No. The only thing included in the measurements is the artwork itself and anything needed to make it free-standing. The white display plinth provided by the gallery is not included in the measurements.
Can the work be wall mounted?
No. All works must be free-standing – in other words, must stand up by themselves. Wall mounted works are not eligible.
Can I enter a drawing of what I think my work will look like?
No. There are strict size and weight restrictions that must be met. To avoid disappointment, it's best to submit the actual work.
Can I enter pictures of my other work?
No. Please only submit the actual entry to avoid confusion. There is a limit of three images per entry. Please make sure the entrant’s name is in the file title.
Can I bring my own display plinth?
Yes. Please do so with the understanding that it will be repainted to match the other plinths in the gallery. Please contact gallery staff prior to delivery to discuss.
Can I submit a late entry?
No.
Can I submit an entry by mail?
No, entry forms must be submitted online. Entry forms sent by email or postal mail will not be accepted.
I cannot submit the entry form online.
Please check you have verified your email address by typing in the verification code emailed to your nominated email address. We do this to ensure everyone has entered a valid email address. You must verify your email before submitting the entry form. The code is generated straight away so please check your junk mail/spam folder if it doesn't arrive in your inbox. It will come from “Snapforms”.
Can I enter more than once?
Yes. This year we are introducing a limit of three entries per person, as an individual or joint entrant. If you are entering more than one artwork, please submit a separate entry form for each artwork.
2023 award winners
Nina Sanadze
Gramophone
lay, resin, hydrostone, acrylics, glue. Sculpture incorporates a replica of a studio plaster model of a revolutionary by Soviet monumental sculptor Valentin Topuridze (1907-1980)
62 x 24 x 27cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2023
Image © and courtesy of the artist and Daine Singer Gallery, Melbourne
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
Natalie Tso
your spit is my nest
saliva and guar gum on isomalt crystals (sugar) coated with nail polish varnish
Winner of the Highly Commended Award in the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2023
Image © and courtesy of the artist. Pictured in the finalists’ exhibition, Deakin University 22 August to 13 October 2023
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
Past winners
2022
Scotty So
Surburbkin in Red, 01
Nylon, metal
34 x 30 x 15cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2022
Image © and courtesy of the artist and MARS Gallery, Melbourne
2021
Michael Le Grand
TRANSIT
Painted steel
12 x 22 x 13cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2021
Image © and courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries, Melbourne and Sydney
Photo by Polo Jimenez
2020
The Award was not held in this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
Kate Ellis
Untitled, Poodle Paw
Beeswax, damar resin, silk thread, acrylic fur, poodle fur
47 x 13.5 x 17cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2019
Image © and courtesy of the artist
2018
Hannah Toohey
Archaea No. 4
Fabric, stuffing, porcelain, raccoon claws
37 x 23 x 18cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2018
Image © and courtesy of the artist
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2017
Richard Stringer
House on Fire
Cultured marble, felt & Perspex
64 x 56 x 56cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2017 Image © and courtesy of the artist
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2016
Geoffrey Bartlett
Fusion revisited
Bronze and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)
70 x 27.8 x 27cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2016 Image © and courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries, Melbourne and Sydney
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2015
Kendal Murray
Provision, Revision, Decision, Division
Mixed media assemblage: timber, porcelain, metal, plastic, paint, resin and pebbles
30.8 x 18 x 18cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2015 Image © and courtesy of the artist and Arthouse Gallery, Sydney
Photo by Ian Hobbs
2014
Mikala Dwyer
Empty Sculpture
Plastic, air
68 x 40 x 30cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2014 Image © and courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2013
Michael Sibel
Primitive Dance
Bronze
55 x 29.3 x 21.8cm (in two parts)
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2013 Image © and courtesy of the artist
Photo by Mark Soutter
2012
Lisa Roet
Spider Monkey
Bronze
45 x 60 x 20cm
Winner of the Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2012
Image © and courtesy of the artist and Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide; Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland; and Pieces of Eight Gallery, Melbourne Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2011
Stephen Bird
Boxers
clay, pigment, glaze
70 x 38 x 28cm
Winner of Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2011 Image © and courtesy of the artist and Olsen Gallery, Sydney; and The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2010
Robert Hague
Trojan Hammer (200%)
bronze, 24 ct gold powder
39.5 x 13.5 x 13.5cm
Winner of Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2010 Image © and courtesy of the artist
Photo by Simon Peter Fox
2009
Stephen Benwell
Statue, Grey-Pink Man
clay, engobe, glaze stains
23.5 x 9.5 x 9.5cm
Winner of the inaugural Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, 2009
Image © and courtesy of the artist and Niagara Galleries, Melbourne Photo by Simon Peter Fox
Contact us
Please email us if you would like to be added to the award mailing list.
smallsculpture@deakin.edu.au