THE BALNAVES FOUNDATION SCULPTURE PROJECT
at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is pleased to announce an exciting series of national and international sculpture projects.
Neil and Diane Balnaves, through the Balnaves Foundation, have made a five-year commitment to exhibitions and acquisitions of both contemporary and historical sculpture.
Formed this year, the Balnaves Foundation primarily supports the fields of art and medicine. One of its key objectives in the art world is to assist this sculpture project at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Neil Balnaves said, "Diane and I developed a strong interest in sculpture following on from our support of Sculpture by the Sea. It was then we recognised the breadth and depth of Australian sculpture and what a vibrant role it was playing. We also realised the medium did not enjoy the same level of support as other art forms. This has lead to our enthusiastic support of this initiative."
Edmund Capon, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, said, "The Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Project is a hugely welcome addition to the Gallery's annual programme. Its focus on sculpture is timely, as interest in both contemporary and historical sculpture reflects an enduring fascination with the creative potential of three-dimensional objects."
Five-year Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Project
2003 the inaugural event in the programme is an exhibition devoted to five of the country's most innovative younger artists. Still Life will be on view from 6 September to 2 November 2003. Selected by Curator of Contemporary Australian Art, Wayne Tunnicliffe, the exhibition will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue.
2004 will see the commission and exhibition by the Gallery of a major, site-specific sculpture or installation by one of Australia's most influential contemporary sculptors.
In 2005 a significant international artist will be invited to the Art Gallery of New South Wales by Head Curator Tony Bond to produce a new work or to supervise the installation of an ephemeral sculpture.
In 2006 a retrospective exhibition on the work of Bertram Mackennal, Australia's internationally renowned Victorian/Edwardian sculptor, with an accompanying monograph and catalogue raisonn�, will be organised by the Gallery's Curator of Australian Art, Deborah Edwards.
In 2007 the Gallery will purchase for the permanent collection a significant outdoor or indoor work by a living or historical Australian sculptor.
Media information:
Jan Batten, Press Office
(02) 9225 1791 or 0418 279 348
email janb@ag.nsw.gov.au | 
