Sculpture on the Farm is an art exhibition and competition held at ‘Fosterton’, an idyllic grazing property north of Dungog in New South Wales, and a partner event to the Dungog Festival. What a brilliant way to bring art lovers and tourists to the area! And with the major prize-winning artwork being acquired by Dungog Shire, everyone will be able to enjoy the winner’s sculpture into the future.

This is the second year Sculpture on the Farm has been run. Thanks to being stuck in hospital, I was hugely disappointed to miss last year’s inaugural show and was determined to make it this year. Dungog is only an hour or so drive north of Newcastle, and a lovely little town nestled in the foothills below the glorious Barrington Tops. No matter what the art was like, I was guaranteed gorgeous scenery and a terrific day out.

Last year’s exhibition attracted over 2,000 visitors. Given the stream of cars headed up Fosterton Road to the farm, the wonderfulness of the art on offer and the overall excellence of our experience, I have no doubt this has been well-exceeded this year. I’ll have to make a note to go early next year and beat the crowds.

As with so many rural events, this was run by volunteers and they did a great job. Everything was smooth from the parking to the ticket-buying to the easy to navigate layout.

Make Sculpture on the Farm a must-see for next year. If it’s anything like this year’s event, you’ll love it.

Here are some of our piccies from the day. Enjoy!

Dusty Days in the Saddle by Sam Anderson. This was Jim and my favourite.

Sticky Fleece by Greg Salter. Some of you may remember a photo I took of a monster fleece in the National Museum of Australia that came from a sheep nicknamed Shrek. The sheep had been left unshorn for years and was in a terrible state when found. The artist has taken the idea of Shrek’s fleece and what wondered what would happen if you could pull objects out of it like a magician’s hat, with the strangest thing being… a donut! I loved this one. It was incongruous and funny.

This was the winning sculpture – The Theatre of the Shadow by Peter Tilley. The photograph doesn’t do it justice. It was amazing!

Another favourite – Big Old Buck by Tobias Bennett. He looked so proud in his landscape. He even had metal goolies!

Waiting for Rain by Jimmy Rix. This was rather poignant, in particular when it was displayed next to the farm’s rain gauge.

The Mob by Catie Sully. This was huge fun. Like a mob of teenage boys racing off to do mischief.

Selfie Girl by Laurent Rivory. “A parody of the self-obsessed, complete with hair extensions, filler lips, Brazillian butt lift and fake eyelashes.”

Dance Around the Moon by Inge King (1915-2016). This could be yours for $75,000.

Loved these flowers made of old plates. They were so happy! Flowers of Glass by Lynden Jacobi.

Heart to Heart by Amanda Harrison “explores friendship, sharing and always being there to listen. Good friends are to be treasured, with joy and grace.” I think this sculpture reflects this perfectly.

Another favourite. The Next Generation by Rod Buckland.

Emergent by Bridget Whitehead. A lovely limestone carving representing a seed that pushes into the ground before emerging upward.

Posed by Nicole O’Regan. I liked the animation in this one.

Topiarius by Carolyn Rendle.

Seed I, II and III by Natalie Duncan. “You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars.”

Fore by Gary Boote. One for golf lovers (like us).

Much Like Life by Tobias Bennett. “Much like life, the universe and everything, there is no beginning or end. Everything is connected in time and space.”

Isle of Flowers by Lynden Jacobi.

Surface Tension by Keith Chidzey. This was almost creepy, as if the timber and steel hand was just waiting for a lightning strike to bring it to life.

Rowers by David Perkins. This was cute. The rowers move on the breeze or if touched lightly.

Chess Set by Gary Boote. Made out of mesh bins!

Had to laugh at this sculpture. The Butterfly Effect by Amanda Harrison.

Villanelle by Nigel Dobson. I liked how this stood out in the landscape.

Earth Cry by Keith Chidzey. A beautiful sculpture carved out of Huon pine.

Loved these! Sir and Madame Leather by Ren Thackham. Instead of animals being made into coats, the artist has made coats into animals. So clever.

Bush Spirit II by Jane Dawson. “Bronze for strength, its form suggests a movement forward, clothed in the iconic Akubra and Driza-Bone for shelter against the elements, all reference the Spirit of the Bush.”

Sirens by Kim Elliot. Beautiful.

Horse’s Ass by Felicity Cavanagh. Right up my alley.

La Foglia by Emilia Krumm.

Malus by Natalie Duncan. “malus is the genus the common apple belongs to. This work explores the Garden of Eden tale, and the relationship of Eve and the snake; forever bound together in their crime, the downfall of mankind.”

Left, Right, Left by Ionas Kaltenbach.

Maximus by Rod Buckland. “This piece was inspired by my late father-in-law Max. Braford bulls are strong and quiet in nature which encapsulates Max. He is mounted on a worn stair tread which represents his footsteps in life.” Lovely and poignant.

Besos by Sallie Portnoy. The photo doesn’t do justice to the colours. They were stunning.

The Fox and the Moon Stick by Michael Garth. “… an Aesop’s fable yet to be written.”

Much Like Water by Tobias Bennett.

Another favourite. A Long Walk Home by Sam Anderson.

We adored these. The Vision by Ian Scott. “In The Vision, people are staring at something in the sky.” Except it looked like they were staring at us in wonder. What fun!

Ginkgo Tree by Rudi Jass, a kinetic sculpture. I liked how this was placed in a paddock on its own, with the hills as backdrop.

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Which is your favourite Sculpture on the Farm?

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