We were thrilled to officially launch the Forest Sculpture Gallery, a newly established non-profit space for art located within the beautiful setting of the National Arboretum Canberra, on 9 September 2022.
While the launch could not go ahead as planned in the Cork Oak Forest due to the weather, the Village Centre was transformed and guests enjoyed exquisite tastes by Ginger Catering, cherry blossoms and the soft sounds of a Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) played by Dr Rupert Summerson. Guests were able to participate in a preview of Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing by artists LocalJinni.
The Gallery was launched by Executive Branch Manager, Scott Saddler AM and special guest speakers Dan Bourchier, a multi-award winning journalist who many are familiar with from ABC Canberra morning radio and ABC evening news; and Deborah Clark, independent visual arts curator and Curatorial Adviser to the Forest Sculpture Gallery.
The Forest Sculpture Gallery emerges from the four works of art installed under the auspices of ArtsACT – the two elegant kinetic sculptures by Kozo Nishino, Richard Moffatt’s imposing eagle on Dairy Farmer’s Hill, and the highly visible Wide brown land by Marcus Tatton, Futago & Chris Viney.
The Gallery has been more than four years in the planning – assembling a skilled and experienced advisory committee, writing collection policies and business plans, seeking out works of art, and obtaining tax deductibility and Cultural Gift Program status.
The well-known work A backwards attitude by Louis Pratt, previously on loan from the artist, was recently formally accepted by donation into the Forest Sculpture Gallery collection and following the artist’s original vision has now moved into a permanent home in the Mesa Oak Forest.
The two most recent Forest Sculpture acquisitions, and entirely new to the Arboretum site, the Cloak created and donated by Jeremy Blincoe & Michael Van Dam – a poetic presence in the beautiful Himalayan Cedar Forest where it was installed only last week – and the soon-to-be-installed carved slate slab, A literary map of the Molonglo, created by Ian Marr and donated by an anonymous benefactor will be located near the Pin Oak Forest.
The Forest Sculpture Gallery (FSG) will encompass a growing permanent collection of contemporary and twentieth-century sculptures, as well as works on long term loan, temporary exhibitions and sculpture festivals; all accessible to the public in forests, along walking trails and on hillsides under open skies, transforming both the works and the visitor experience.
We would personally like to thank the 2022 National Arboretum Canberra Ambassador donors and everyone for their very generous donation to the Forest Sculpture Gallery, it is very much appreciated. Your donation is key to helping secure our very first commissioned sculptural work, to be located in the front dam at the National Arboretum Canberra.
Interested in becoming a Forest Sculpture Gallery donor? All financial donations over $2 are tax deductible. Support artists and contribute to the rich visual culture of the Canberra region and the unique landscape of the National Arboretum Canberra by following this link - DONATE
Just like our forests, the Forest Sculpture Gallery will continue to grow.