Done and Dusted

May 05th, 2016

The artists have left the Cedars in Hahndorf to return to all the corners of the world from whence they came, leaving behind ten large stone sculptures to be placed around the Adelaide Hills.

The Adelaide Hills International Sculpture Symposium (AHISS) will now prepare the various sites around the Hills where the works will sit, completing the 24 sculptures dotted throughout the Adelaide Hills that forms the AHISS Trail.

Treasurer and organiser Nigel Steele Scott is glad that all the hard work is over, but he is very pleased with what his committee have been able to achieve.

“It went extremely well,” Nigel said.

“The site looks sensational with all ten pieces standing tall and with all of the tools cleared away.

“The artists were very happy, we have had a couple of them write back already saying that it was the best symposium they've been to, that they were very well looked after and that they had a wonderful time in the Hills. They really enjoyed themselves.”

The next step now is to prepare the various sites where the scultures will eventually be placed, a process that could take up to nine months.

“The piece that is going to Stirling is a dress figure that rotates which looks great, and the one that is going to Nairne is a work that represents agriculture and that rotates as well.,” Nigel said.

“The people's choice was won by Yoshin Ogato for the piece he sculpted in memory of my wife, which he called 'Sunshine' because she was always smiling.”

One of the highlights of the last five years of the symposium has been the educational workshops that saw local school children getting involved with the visiting artists. This year, Nigel said the experience was no different.

“I would have to say that it was almost beyond belief,” Nigel said.

“We had so many letters from teachers and parents. A few of the teachers even commented saying that this was the first time every single member of their class has been fully engaged for the whole project, so it has been a fantastic result from the schools. They absolutely loved it.

“The children made some wonderful sculptures. Animals were very popular. One boy made a pair of goggles – I have no idea how he is going to wear a pair of stone goggles but there you are!”

Now that the hard park of the project is over, Nigel and the rest of the team have had time to reflect on their hard work and on what they have been able to achieve in this short period of time.

“We would just like to say thank you to the communities that supported us,” Nigel said.

“If we hadn't had the support of the community and the general public this would never have happened, it would not have been worth doing. It has been very rewarding to work on such a project and it will eventually produce a great trail of sculptures throughout the Hills.”

The sculptures will be on view at The Cedars until they are placed at their final locations. To find out more visit http://www.adelaidehillssculpture.com.au


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