In 2016 Sculpture by the Sea Inc established a National Artistic Advisory Committee (NAAC) which comprises leading artists, curators, academics and arts writers who provide informal support and advice for our Perth and Sydney exhibitions. Current members of the Committee include:
Olga Cironis (WA) Artist
A practicing and exhibiting artist since 1995, Olga Cironis examines notions of belonging, cultural globalisation, appropriated histories and accepted attitudes on belonging in the Australian cultural and social landscape. In her work are layers of research, collected stories, muted voices and cultural heritage. Olga holds a Masters and Bachelors of Visual Arts from the University of Sydney (SCA). Olga is a prolific artist, contributing to solo and group exhibitions nationally. She is represented in numerous prominent national and international collections. NAAC Member since 2023.
Geoffrey Edwards (VIC) Former Director, Geelong Art Gallery and former Senior Curator of Sculpture, National Gallery of Victoria
Formerly Senior Curator of Sculpture at the National Gallery of Victoria, Geoffrey Edwards was Director of the Geelong Art Gallery from 1999 to 2016. He is advisor on sculpture to public and private collections and is widely published in the field. At both the NGV and Geelong he curated numerous retrospective and thematic exhibitions including of the work of Centre Five group pioneers Lenton Parr, Clifford Last and Inge King, and of prominent Melbourne-based sculptor Augustine Dall’Ava. He was responsible for major national and international surveys of contemporary sculpture presented under the auspices of the Australian Sculpture Triennial series. He is a member of the Curatorial Advisory Panel for Sculpture by the Sea. NAAC Member since 2016.
Sharyn Egan (WA) Artist
Sharyn Egan’s studies include Diploma of Fine Arts, Claremont School of Art, Perth, 1998, an Associate Degree, Contemporary Aboriginal Art, Curtin University, 2000, and Bachelor of Arts, Curtin University, 2001. As a member of the Stolen Generation growing up in the New Norcia Mission School, much of Egan’s artwork is a commentary on her life as a Nyoongar woman and the associated trauma, emotions and deep sense of loss and displacement experienced by Aboriginal people. Egan works in a variety of traditional and contemporary mediums and her work is often based on flora and fauna with totemic significance for Nyoongar people. She works on many Aboriginal community and cultural development projects, and exhibits widely including: the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, 2017; 3rd Tamworth Textile Triennial, Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW, 2020; Art Gallery of Western Australia, 2022; and The National 4: Australian Art Now, Campbelltown Arts Centre, 2023. Prominent public art commissions in Western Australia include Optus Stadium Park, Elizabeth Quay and Yagan Square. Her work is held in the collections of The Berndt Museum of Anthropology, Art Gallery of Western Australia and the National Museum of Australia. NAAC Member since 2024.
Dr Michael Hill (NSW) Head of Art History & Theory, National Art School
Michael’s interests include sculpture, Baroque art, portraiture, and art historical methodology. Michael has been associated with Sculpture by the Sea since 2009 as curator and artistic advisor for the Bondi and Cottesloe exhibitions. NAAC Member since 2016.
Philip Spelman (NSW) Artist
As a practicing sculptor for the past 30 years, Spelman works in painted steel, he maintains a broad professional arts practice. He is actively engaged in national and international exhibitions, commissions and conference programmes as well as technical management and consultation. His works are abstract constructions where elements balance, tumble and float creating positive and negative compositions of space, light and shade. The sculptures are memorable for their vibrant colours which give luminosity and depth, creating stunning silhouettes within their environment. Spelman’s sculptures are held in many public, private and corporate collections, nationally and internationally. In 2012 he was awarded a Helen Lempriere scholarship for research and travel. NAAC Member since 2018.