The Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery is showcasing award-winning talent with the highlights of the 2008 Acquisitive Sculpture Competition now on display.

Competition winners were announced at the official opening of the exhibition on Saturday 5 May. The grand champion prize of $2500, sponsored by Toowoomba Regional Council, was awarded to Toowoomba artist George Szerencsi for his work titled Enlightenment.
The prize was presented by Paul Antonio.

Judge Ann-Maree Reaney said the small but powerful sculpture reflected a high level of craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities.

“The work speaks about displacement, paradoxes and broken narratives. The sensual quality of the porcelain material is made evident through the artists’ handling,” Ms Reaney said.

“It is a beautiful and poetic sculpture that I’m sure the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery will be proud to have as part of its collection.”

Ms Reaney said it was extraordinary the competition had attracted such a large number of entries from local and interstate artists.

“This type of philanthropy does so much for the regional community as well as the discipline of sculpture itself by generating a genuine interest and belief in the arts,” she said.

The runner-up prize of $1000 was awarded to Sandra Jarrett from Toowoomba for her entry, Walking Boats – Prosthesis.

The winner in the local section was Keith Mitchell from Ravensbourne for his resin sphere titled The Way. 


Toowoomba resident and USQ Visual Arts student Anna McMahon won the Most Promising Young Sculptor award.

A wood sculpture titled The Cane Cutter has won the People's Choice Award at this year’s Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery’s acquisitive sculpture competition.

The artwork was exhibited by professional sculptor Jim Svensson from Maleny.
Mr Svensson has won the people's choice award at Crows Nest Gallery in the past.