The visitor appeal of the already popular Dungog Common was further expanded this week with the installation of a new sculpture within the 600 acre property.
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Sowelu Two created by Far South Coast artist Jen Mallinson, one of the major winners in year's Sculpture on the Farm exhibition, is the third large-scale artwork to be permanently installed at the Common in past three years.
"The partnership with Sculpture on the Farm has been fantastic," Dungog Common chair Kate Murphy said.
"Dungog Common is so many things to so many different people. We have bike riders, horse riders, walkers. Sculptures add a whole other dimension to what is on offer here and has the potential to bring in a new kind of visitor to Dungog."
Ms Mallinson joined the Sculpture on the Farm and Dungog Common committees on the property on Wednesday to see the newly installed Sowelu Two.
The $10,000 artwork is located a short distance from Bob Teasdale's sculpture Entwined at the start of the riding track. Gavin Vitullo's A Thought is a Ripple can be "discovered" near the creek in the Common.
Ms Mallinson said she had been looking forward to her visit to Dungog and was not disappointed.
"It is beautiful," the artist said of Sowelu Two's positioning at the Common.
"The Dungog Common area is absolutely gorgeous. I think the sculpture sits here beautifully and hopefully it will inspire people to come and have a look, to get involved.
"I couldn't be happier."
It is the first year Ms Mallinson has entered Sculpture on the Farm, which was moved online this year due to the pandemic. She had nothing but praise for the sculpture exhibition.
This year's Sculpture on the Farm exhibition featured 148 works from 73 of Australian leading and emerging sculptors.
Following each exhibition, first held in 2018, Sculpture on the Farm Inc donates the winning artworks of the acquisitive prize. One is donated to the Common and the other to the Dungog Shire for the "enjoyment of the community and visitors to our region".
Nine exhibition winners were announced on October 10.
Ms Mallinson and Victorian artist Jimmy Rix were the winners of the acquisitive prizes. Mr Rix's bronze sculpture of a kelpie, worth $7500, will eventually be displayed within the Dungog town centre.
Sculpture on the Farm chair Philippa Graham said the committee was "thrilled" to donate Sowelu Two to the Common.
"I'd like to reinforce the partnership between Sculpture on the Farm and Dungog Common. The spirit of the common will endure. The value and contribution it makes to life in Dungog is really important," she said.
Ms Mallinson said Sowelu Two was 12 months in the making. It was inspired by an ancient runic symbol, Sowelu, which stands for wholeness, sun's energy and life force.
"It's my interpretation of a three dimensional form of that symbol," she said.
A standout feature of Sowelu Two is, as a "fully enclosed form", that it twists on all sides to appear as a wave no matter which way you view it. The two wave-like structures are made with a 10mm thick Australian weathering steel plate.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
