Professor Shen Lieyi, ‘Tracing’, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2024. Photo Charlotte Curd
Acclaimed Chinese artist Professor Shen Lieyi was announced as the recipient of the $100,000 Aqualand Sculpture Award for his arborescent work titled ‘Tracing’. Recognised as one of the most sought-after art awards in the world, the Aqualand Sculpture Award is an acquisitive award that will see ‘Tracing’ gifted by long-standing Principal Sponsor Aqualand for permanent public placement. Shen Lieyi is the seventh international artist to receive the major award at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
Aqualand increased the value of the Aqualand Sculpture Award from $70,000 to $100,000 again this year, in celebration of its 10th anniversary as a company and the recent completion of its latest landmark residential precinct, AURA by Aqualand in North Sydney.
Born in Hangzhou, China, Shen Lieyi is a highly acclaimed artist with a love of the natural world whose work focuses on the integration of personal experience and natural elements into insightful, conceptual sculptures. His work is represented in public collections including the National Museum of China, Nanjing Museum, Zhejiang Art Museum, and Basel in Switzerland. He has a major work in the permanent outdoor collection, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail in southern NSW, and 2024 marks the third time he is exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. Shen Lieyi is a Professor at the College of Sculpture and Public Art at the China Academy of Art, Executive Director of the China Sculpture Institute, and Vice President of the Zhejiang Sculpture Research Association.
‘Tracing’ is a 3m-high work made from bronze and granite, inspired by the source of flowing water and the challenges of life. The idea of walking upstream is a metaphor for going against the flow; in this sculpture it symbolises reflecting on the past, seeking origins and exploring the essence of things.
Shen Lieyi said: “I would like to express my joy at receiving this award. I have participated in three Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi exhibitions which have been a valuable experience for me. With this opportunity, my works can have direct contact and dialogue with local audiences. I have always tried to integrate Eastern wisdom and thinking into my creations, and the acceptance of my works by Australians and tourists has inspired me. With the help of art, we can share different ideas and thoughts in public spaces, which I believe is the most fascinating aspect of art. I would like to express my gratitude to the staff behind this project. A sculpture is not complete until it is seen by the public.”
Aqualand Group Managing Director, Jin Lin, said: “We believe there is a deeply rooted synergy between creativity and vibrant communities. As such, celebrating Australia’s exceptional artistic talent is very important to Aqualand, as a company and as individuals. We applaud David Handley, and his entire team, for once again curating another spectacular showcase of artistic excellence at the 26th Bondi exhibition. We remain extremely proud of our support of the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition and we congratulate Professor Shen Lieyi on his award-winning sculpture.”
Founding CEO & Artistic Director, David Handley, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Shen Lieyi is the first Chinese artist to receive the Aqualand Sculpture Award. We have a wonderful, long tradition of exhibiting major sculptures from China and this is a very significant artwork.”
The Aqualand Sculpture Award was selected by this year’s judging panel: