Weather Signs
Number : 1
Artist : Stephen King
Material : Local Yellow Box & Steel
Year Created : 1996
Special Note : Donated by Artist with support from Walcha Council
Artist's Location : Walcha
Type : Sculpture
Size : 2.5 x 3.0 x 6.2m
Extra_info :
In 1996, Walcha Council was approached by Stephen King, a local farmer and prominent Australian sculptor, to collaborate with him to create a fountain sculpture for McHattan Park in the centre of town. The decision to accept his offer and install Walcha's first sculpture lead to the suggestion by Council to form the Walcha Arts Council to facilitate an ongoing public art program. A plan was conceived and drawn up by the Walcha Arts Council and was adopted by Walcha Council into its 1998 Management Plan. The concept came to be known as the Open Air Gallery.
THE ARTIST:
Stephen King is a prominent Australian sculptor and farmer living near Walcha, NSW. He is probably best known for his work in Sculpture by the Sea both in Bondi, Sydney and Cottesloe WA, where he has been invited to exhibit many times since its inception in 1997. In 2013 he was awarded the Macquarie Group Sculpture Prize (the main prize) for his work ‘Fallout’.
STEPHEN KING'S INFLUENCE ON WALCHA'S PUBLIC ART
It should also be noted that Stephen King has been instrumental in the creation and growth of Walcha's Open Air Gallery of Sculptures and Artworks, from its inception to the present day. It is largely through his incredible level of generosity, of both time and contribution, that Walcha has this magnificent asset which seriously 'punches above its weight'. Boasting to have the most public art per capita with around 1 Sculpture for every 50 residents.
WHAT DO THE CRITICS THINK?
- once described as one of Australia's most art-friendly towns by one of Australia's most notable art critics, John McDonald. McDonald has also cited Walcha alongside Brisbane as the two destinations who do public art well.
Not a bad feather in Walcha's cap with a population of only around 3,000 in their shire!!
For more information on the artist follow the link below.
In 1996, Walcha Council was approached by Stephen King, a local farmer and prominent Australian sculptor, to collaborate with him to create a fountain sculpture for McHattan Park in the centre of town. The decision to accept his offer and install Walcha's first sculpture lead to the suggestion by Council to form the Walcha Arts Council to facilitate an ongoing public art program. A plan was conceived and drawn up by the Walcha Arts Council and was adopted by Walcha Council into its 1998 Management Plan. The concept came to be known as the Open Air Gallery.
THE ARTIST:
Stephen King is a prominent Australian sculptor and farmer living near Walcha, NSW. He is probably best known for his work in Sculpture by the Sea both in Bondi, Sydney and Cottesloe WA, where he has been invited to exhibit many times since its inception in 1997. In 2013 he was awarded the Macquarie Group Sculpture Prize (the main prize) for his work ‘Fallout’.
STEPHEN KING'S INFLUENCE ON WALCHA'S PUBLIC ART
It should also be noted that Stephen King has been instrumental in the creation and growth of Walcha's Open Air Gallery of Sculptures and Artworks, from its inception to the present day. It is largely through his incredible level of generosity, of both time and contribution, that Walcha has this magnificent asset which seriously 'punches above its weight'. Boasting to have the most public art per capita with around 1 Sculpture for every 50 residents.
WHAT DO THE CRITICS THINK?
- once described as one of Australia's most art-friendly towns by one of Australia's most notable art critics, John McDonald. McDonald has also cited Walcha alongside Brisbane as the two destinations who do public art well.
Not a bad feather in Walcha's cap with a population of only around 3,000 in their shire!!
For more information on the artist follow the link below.
This fountain depicts the reliance of a rural community on the weather, and the signs and stories that try to bring some certainty to the indifferent and fickle nature of the weather.
Follow this link for more information on the artist
Stephen King