This year, our partnership takes a new and exciting step with the launch of the Allens Invited Artist Program, created to provide meaningful support to an Australian artist bringing an ambitious new sculpture to life. We are thrilled to announce that the inaugural recipient is Australian sculptor Dominique Sutton, who will exhibit her monumental three-metre-high corten steel sculpture Pegasus at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2026.
A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM, MAJESTY AND ENDURANCE
The horse has long been a powerful motif in Dominique Sutton’s practice and a personal talisman for the artist. Her striking new work ‘Pegasus’ draws on the mythology of the immortal winged horse — a symbol of freedom, majesty, endurance and spirit. Created in corten steel and finished with a rich mahogany patina, the three-metre-high sculpture reflects Sutton’s ongoing exploration of the horse through pared-back, abstracted forms. For Dominique, the support from Allens has helped make this ambitious work possible, contributing towards the significant material and freight costs associated with creating and transporting large-scale sculpture.
“The generous support that I have received through the Allens Invited Artist Program to build my sculpture Pegasus has made the creative process infinitely more enjoyable, knowing that there is a significant contribution towards my fabrication and freight costs — an ongoing challenge for sculptors working in the current climate.”
24 YEARS OF SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS
Allens has been a Major Partner of Sculpture by the Sea for 24 years, sharing our commitment to creativity, excellence, community and a vibrant cultural landscape. The Allens Invited Artist Program was established to provide practical support to Australian artists bringing ambitious new works to life and exhibiting them for public audiences.
Allens Partner and Sydney Practice Director Carrie Rogers said: “The Allens Invited Artist Program is a natural evolution of our long-running partnership with Sculpture by the Sea, designed to support talented artists and one of Australia’s most celebrated cultural events. We are delighted to work with Dominique Sutton as the inaugural recipient and help bring Pegasus to life for Sculpture by the Sea’s 30th anniversary exhibition. We hope the program will help artists continue to create ambitious new work and contribute to Australia’s artistic landscape.”
Sculpture by the Sea Founding CEO & Artistic Director David Handley said:
“Twenty-four years into our longest-running partnership, Allens’ commitment to supporting Australian artists and contributing to our cultural landscape is stronger than ever.
“The Allens Invited Artist Program is a wonderful extension of that commitment. Dominique Sutton is an exceptional Australian artist with an impressive history of creating major public works in Australia and internationally. We are delighted that Pegasus will be part of our 30th anniversary exhibition.”