James Rogers, ‘Sandbar’, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2023. Photo Jessica Wyld
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2023 was officially opened this morning, with 71 sculptures from Australian and international artists transforming the white sands of Cottesloe Beach until 20 March.
James Rogers from Walcha in NSW was announced today by Deputy Premier, Roger Cook, as the recipient of the $60,000 Sculpture by the Sea Acquisitive Award sponsored by Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill for the sculpture Sandbar. This award is one of the most substantial arts awards in Australia and one of the most substantial sculpture awards in the Southern Hemisphere.
James Rogers has exhibited eighteen-times at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. He has been selected in the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW four times and is recognised as one of Australia’s most respected sculptors. James Rogers said: “Delighted and overwhelmed to be selected for the major award and thank the new principal sponsors Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill for coming on board, particularly for an arts exhibition like Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe going strong after 19 years. Thanks to all the crew, staff and management at Sculpture by the Sea and thank you to all the people of Perth and WA for taking the exhibition into their hearts.”
At today’s media launch, Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill were announced as the Principal Sponsors of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.
David Handley, Founding CEO & Artistic Director of Sculpture by the Sea, said: “Congratulations to James Rogers for receiving the $60,000 award sponsored by Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill. It’s a great artwork among many great artworks at this year’s exhibition. Thank you very much to Hancock Prospecting, and Roy Hill for joining us as Principal Sponsors of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, for this prestigious award and for providing much needed financial support to enable our not for profit organisation to stage the exhibition.”
Gerhard Veldsman, CEO, Group Operations at Hancock Prospecting said Hancock Prospecting has been a repeated principal sponsor of this popular event, and this year both Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill are pleased to be the Principal Sponsor for one of the world’s biggest annual sculpture exhibitions. “This event attracts thousands of West Australians down to Cottesloe Beach each year, and Mrs Rinehart and I are especially delighted this year to see our friends from Ukraine included. Whether it’s having some fish and chips with the family or a Kidman Pie, or simply wandering through the sculptures and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s a fantastic day out to enjoy the sun, the sand and the imaginative installations of art with friends and family.”
The Award recipient was selected by a judging panel of leading figures in the visual arts: Johannes Pannekoek, Artist (Perth), Soula Veyradier the Manager of Gallery and Programs, School of Art and Design, North Metropolitan TAFE and Michael Le Grand Artist and former Head of Sculpture at the Australian National University.