In a fascinating artist interview for Sculpture by the Sea, Jimmy Rix shares insights into the themes which inspired his work A Bridge Too Far, recently exhibited at SxS Cottlesoe, 2024.
Rix sheds light on the challenges surrounding home ownership, describing it as a bridge too far for many Australians due to factors like interest rate hikes and the rising cost of living.
He reflects on how the Great Australian Dream may be fading away, becoming nothing more than a distant aspiration evaporating into the clouds.
Watch the full interview here
To read more about the artist, and to view a further selection of magnificent works by Jimmy Rix, visit our online Stock Rooms here or email melbourne@australiangalleries.com.au
Video for SxS by Richard Watson
Image above John Petrie with his winning work 23.5° in Marks Park, Tamarama.
Photograph by Jane Barrett
25TH EXHIBITION | 20 October – 6 November 2023
Sculpture by the Sea returns to the Bondi to Tamarama Beach coastal walk as the world’s largest free to the public sculpture exhibition in 2023. The spectacular coastal walk will once again be transformed into a 2km long sculpture park over three weeks featuring more than 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world.
Congratulations to the following artists who are exhibiting in Bondi this year:
David Horton
Greg Johns
Michael Le Grand
John Petrie
Jimmy Rix
Ayako Saito
Ron Robertson-Swann
Visit the website to keep up to date with details including artist talks, tours and suggested walking routes.
WHEN
20 October – 6 November 2023
WHERE
Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney, Australia
ENQUIRIES
+61 2 8399 0233 | info@sculpturebythesea.com
David Horton Cheryl’s Night Garden 2023 steel 380 x 400 x 289 cm. To view a selection of David Horton works visit our online Stock Rooms here
Greg Johns Sit Down Fella (Contemplative) 2023 Corten steel bronze 260 cm high. To view a selection of Greg John works, visit our online Stock Rooms here.
Michael Le Grand Ebb and Flow’ 2023 painted steel 200 x 500 x 150 cm.
To view a selection of Greg John works, visit our online Stock Rooms here.
To view a selection of Jimmy Rix works visit our online Stock Rooms here
To view a selection of Ayako Saito’s works visit our online Stock Rooms here.
To view a selection of Ron Robertson-Swann’s works visit our online Stock Rooms here.
Image above: Jimmy Rix Kangaroo and Honeyeater 2022 Corten steel 256 x 169 x 43 cm
Congratulations to Jimmy Rix who has been announced as the winner of two major Acquisitive Prizes for the Sculpture on the Farm 2023.
‘Kangaroo and Honeyeater’ has won the Acquisitive Prize for display in the Gresford Arboretum, and ‘Collecting fur to line the nest 2’ was awarded the Acquisitive Prize for display in the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve.
Jimmy Rix Collecting fur to line the nest 2 2022 Corten steel 134 x 272 x 147 cm
Further works by Jimmy Rix and Inge King are now showing in the exhibition of Finalists.
View the online exhibition catalogue here
Inghe King Hanging Sculpture, Seaflower Maquette (second version) EE 1/3 | 1974-2023 aluminium on painted steel base
Fabricated by Robert Hook
Jimmy Rix Rooster and Hen 2023 corten steel edition unique
Image above: The Bush Custodians bronze each figure 270 x 180 x 250cm. Photographed with the artist.
Congratulations to Camie Lyons, Greg Johns and Jimmy Rix who have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Sculpture in the Valley, held at the Wilburra property on Smarts Road in Kangaroo Valley.
Sculptures by the three artists have been selected in both the Outdoor Sculpture and Indoor Sculpture categories. Camie Lyons’ Bush Custodians, Greg Johns’ Sentinel and The Observer, and Jimmy Rix’s Kangaroo and Honeyeater have been selected in the Outdoor Sculpture category. Lyons’ Wings, Johns’ Dry Country Mandala and Rix’s Kelpie and Home is where the heart is have been selected in the Indoor Sculpture category.
Greg Johns Sentinel 2022 corten steel 294 x 60 x 80 cm
Jimmy Rix Kelpie 2020 bronze 51 x 42 x 21.5 cm
Camie Lyons Wings Bronze 112 x 72 60 cm
Of her work, Lyons says: ‘A reminder of the vital role played by all winged creatures. In droves they clean the earth and spread the seeds and fertilize life in our wild spaces. The artist crafted these forms from branches, materials that owe their existence to insects, birds, and bugs. They too begin their journey with the help from winged things and grow into giants, providing food and shelter, and so continuing the divine cycle of growth and transformation.’
Sculpture in the Valley is part of the not-for-profit organisation Arts in the Valley, also known as the Kangaroo Valley Arts Festival. Sculpture in the Valley presents a biennial exhibition of sculptural works set in the dramatic escarpment surrounds of Kangaroo Valley. A selection of large outdoor sculptures take advantage of the site’s intimate rural setting and expansive valley views, while a selection of smaller works are available for view in the standard indoor exhibition space.
This year the show welcomes David Ball as the exhibition curator alongside Director Stuart McCreery, and judges Janet Laurence and Michael Snape.
Sculpture in the Valley 2023
Wilburra, 32 Smarts Road, Barrengarry NSW
View the online exhibition catalogue here
Image above: Jimmy Rix Tonight, it’s just the two of us 2023 corten steel edition 1 of 3 310 x 120 x 85 cm.
Congratulations to and Jimmy Rix, Inge King and James Parrett, who have been announced as finalists for the biennale sculpture exhibition Sculpture on the Farm, at “Fosterton”, Dungog, NSW.
Sculpture on the Farm is a biennial sculpture exhibition held at “Fosterton”, Dungog to showcase established and emerging Australian sculptors, who will display up to 100 works in the galleries, gardens and paddocks of this picturesque rural cattle property.
Tonight, it’s just the two of us is one of several works by Jimmy Rix that have been included in this year’s exhibition. See the full catalogue of works when it becomes available online on Monday 18 September, accessible via this link.
Sculpture on the Farm 2023
‘Fosterton’
824 Fosterton Road, Fosterton NSW 2420
20 September – 2 October 2023
Preview and Gala Opening: Friday 29 September, 5 – 7pm. Book tickets here.
Image above: Jimmy Rix I’ve got this chicken legs! 2023 Corten steel 311 x 120 x 90 cm.
Congratulations to Jimmy Rix, who has been announced as the recipient of the Disruption Award, presented as part of the Lake Light Sculpture: Street Edition sculpture festival in Jindabyne, New South Wales.
The Disruption Award has been named in honour of Lake Light Sculpture’s departing Artistic Director Ben Eyles, and is presented to an artist for a work that responds to politics, or is created in a ‘street style’.
Jimmy Rix describes his work as, “a comical interpretation of the Australian coat of arms, with the kangaroo wanting the accolades of holding the shield all to itself. This work is inspired by Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, an animation series that was popular during my youth.”
The judges say of his work: “Jimmy Rix’s I’ve got this chicken legs!, with its subversive but humorous political message, represents the polemic politics in Australia at present. Futility of a two party system.”
Also included in the exhibition is Rix’s Tonight, its just the two of us!.
Rix’s large scale Corten steel sculptures and smaller bronze works are exemplars of his sense of humour, engagement with Australiana, interest in scale and concern for the environment. Alongside rebellious roots, Rix also casts horses, sheep and utilitarian objects of his narrative-based works.
Lake Light Sculpture is the leading arts and cultural event in the Snowy Mountains. This iconic outdoor sculpture festival, held annually on the foreshore of Lake Jindabyne, sprang to life in 2000. Lake Light Sculpture encourages experimentation and holds firm in its belief that collaboration is the key to a great event. The event works in partnership with the community to activate and inspire, build participation, edify, and entertain.
Lake Light Sculpture: Street Edition embraces the views and vistas of Lake Jindabyne and its spectacular mountain surrounds from the streets of Jindabyne itself. This exhibition stands as a platform for emerging, mid-career and professional artists alike, significantly contributing to the arts and cultural footprint of the Snowy Monaro Region and contributing to driving economic development and social change.
Lake Light Sculpture: Street Edition
Jindabyne, NSW
6 April – 9 April 2023
Jimmy Rix Tonight its just the two of us! 2023 Corten steel 310 x 120 x 85 cm.
Jimmy Rix I’ve got this chicken legs! 2023
Image above: Dunbi the Owl 2019-20 bronze 80.5 x 49 x 31cm edition 7 of 9. Photograph by David White Photography.
Congratulations to Jimmy Rix, who has been awarded the Allen Family Acquisitive Award for interior sculpture at the Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition with his work Dunbi the Owl.
The biennial Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition, held over seven weeks, attracts Australia’s most recognizable interior and exterior sculptors working across a wide variety of mediums. It is located along the picturesque Main Street of Yinnar, a community of 900 in Gippsland, Victoria. Now in its 4th iteration, this exhibition includes over 80 sculptures, artist talks and an exciting event program.
The $10,000 Allen Prize for Interior Sculpture is an acquisitive prize, funded by the Allen Family. It is the largest of the four prizes offered in the Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition.
Gippsland Sculpture Exhibition
Main Street and arc yinnar Gallery
26 March – 7 May 2023
Image above: Kangaroo and Honeyeater 2022 corten steel 256 x 169 x 43 cm. Available here.
We are pleased to share that Jimmy Rix has had two works accepted into the biennial exhibition ‘Sculpture on the Farm, Online’.
Sculpture on the Farm is a biennial sculpture exhibition typically held at “Fosterton”, Dungog, New South Wales. Established and emerging Australian sculptors are invited to display their works in the galleries, gardens and paddocks of this picturesque cattle property. Sculpture on the Farm is committed to the enhancement of the cultural fabric of the Dungog and the Hunter Valley for the locals and visitors to the region.
This year, Sculpture on the Farm takes place online, where it continues to provide opportunities for sculptors to display and sell their works.
Dunbi the Owl 2019-20 bronze edition 3/9 17 x 49 x 80.5 cm Available here.
“Jimmy Rix’s sculptures often relate to both personal experiences and familiar objects. Having lived within both natural and farmed Australian landscapes throughout his life, rebellious kangaroos, machine-horse hybrids, playful sheep and utilitarian objects have inevitably been cast as the actors of his narrative-based works. In these sculptures a sense of humour, an engagement with Australiana, an interest in scale and a concern for the environment are often the underlying themes and inspiration.”
View available works in the Australian Galleries online stockroom by Jimmy Rix here.
Sculpture on the Farm ONLINE
Until the end of December 2022