A work by Robert Barnstone entitled “The Vessels” is the latest installation in a growing sculpture collection at Mona, but took more than a little effort to install in its permanent location.
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Consisting of two parts, the work was installed on a morning when the temperature hovered around minus 5, and required four men to get in the water to manhandle it into place. Along with the artist, locals, Bolj Boljkovac, Tim Daly and Riley Turner, braved the freezing water with Bolj allegedly suffering a wardrobe malfunction in the process.
Robert Barnstone has exhibited widely, including in Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea and the Western Sydney University Sculpture Award. “The Vessels” is a permanent acquisition for Mona.
Owner of Mona, Bill Pulver, says the sculptures and installations will be part of an art collection which, will ultimately include “six or seven major pieces” of sculpture. The main homestead is already home to a sizable collection with additional works arriving this week to create a curatorial statement blending historic with contemporary.
The outdoor installations by Barnstone, along with a work by Stephen King entitled “The Folly”, and two by Peter Lundberg, “Dancing Man” and “The Loop”, both to be installed in October, are set to become part of the overall landscaping.
Lundberg’s work is truly monumental. “Dancing Man”, when installed, will stand 13 metres high and weigh around 100 tonnes. “The Loop” is six metres wide, and will be installed in the garden in such as way as to provide a frame for the sunset. Mr Pulver is planning to hold an event to celebrate their installation, which, this time, will not involve people getting into freezing water.
Bill and Belinda Pulver are enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing more guests to Braidwood. “Anything that can bring more visitors to this town is a good thing,” he said.
The next events at Mona will be Christmas in July and a country music festival in August.