Mystery Creek Fieldays, partnered with Farmlands Co-operative has for 20 years held the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award.
"So there it was: a need for fences, and no need for a wall. The sentence that sprung from these two premises was so unexpected, that I consider it a gift given in a few moments. I began wrangling with straightened No. 8 wire, bending it around various bolts secured tightly in a vice. The excitement grew as the idea evolved. People around me responded with enthusiasm: an American couple, 'this is a message the world needs to hear' - and a psychotherapist - 'this is about personal boundaries'.
"It’s easy to say we don’t need a wall with the expanse of sea around us, but the real challenge is to be tested in our ‘own back yard’. To have personal boundaries is to have self respect. To resist building ‘walls’ between ourselves and others and remain connected takes courage. This work challenges me to be creative with ‘no holds barred’ - no barriers, no walls. It has been a pivotal experience which I largely owe to two people: collaborating sculptor, and partner Tim Elliot’s expertise in aluminum and ability to think through the many technical challenges was crucial to the works success. Whilst helping me, he completed his own entry '999 Eight-gauge Seeds of Inspiration, 31 Scoops of Sunshine' a beautiful work featuring a sunflower, which won the ‘People’s Choice’ prize.
"Secondly, my late Father Julian who, although battling cancer, was eager to be involved. I would bring the wire letters into the hospital, and he would help me simplify the ideas. Being 20 years since leaving Elam School of Fine Art, during which time I’ve continued in my graphic design practice - making a personal work that has won a national prize, has been hugely rewarding, and marks the start of my Fathers’ creative legacy.”