Sculptor Jimmy Rix has delivered his works for Sculpture on the Farm

One of the reasons Mr Rix has been so supportive of Sculpture on the Farm is because of that country connection. He has watched Dungog and Hunter locals embrace artwork and art shows such as Sculpture on the Farm which is being held this weekend.

"Dungog feels like home to me, it's lovely to actually see art being embraced," he said. "I lived not far from here for a long time so it's lovely just to see this community enjoying sculptures.

Sculptors from across Australia are beginning to deliver their works to Dungog in preparation for the three-day event and Mr Rix is installing seven sculptures.

He has designed his works to reflect different forms of symbiosis in nature. In this case, the brown headed honeyeater and the kangaroo. "I did a series on these kangaroos with a little bird on their back. I did a whole series on symbiotic relationships where animals work together to benefit each other," he said. "The brown headed honeyeater is a bird that actually picks the fur out of the back of the kangaroo and then uses it to line its nest.

"I'm a real animal lover and most of my sculptures are about animals. I have a 40 acre property and run a few cattle and I noticed there was a starling sitting on the back of one of my cows. From there I did a lot of research on symbiotic relationships and I was just amazed how many there were."

After deciding on a topic, Mr Rix does a series of sketches based on his theme. Once one sketch resonates with him Mr Rix begins designing different sculptures. "I work on a theme like the symbiotic relationship, but I try not to get too stuck down on one theme. I like to be flexible with how I work and not restricted in any sense because I think the best thing to do is to keep experimenting," he said.

Sculpture on the Farm starts Friday, September 29 and finishes Monday, October 2 at 824 Fosterton Road, Dungog.