Eden Gardens congratulates the Award Winners of Eden Unearthed: Art in the Gardens, Macquarie Park

Eden Unearthed, the largest privately funded exhibition of its kind in Australia, returns to Macquarie Park’s Eden Gardens on Monday 1November. The 35-installation strong showcase spanning over 2.5 acres prides itself on upholding the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social, with generous stipends paid to everyartists.Costa Georgiadis opened the sold-out event saying “the event continues to grow and get better each year.”

     

Graham Forsyth, one of the three Eden Unearthed judges and honorary Associate Professor UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture explained, “Much of the work in this year’s exhibition resonates with an awareness of the uncertainty and peril generated by fires and viral pandemic, but also with the strong need to construct refuges and connections, places of pause, of home, security, and rootedness. This is the real strength of Eden Unearthed. It’s never just art in a garden, but always places the garden and the art in the context of ideas and challenges.”

            

Allan Giddy, Director of Environmental Research Initiative, UNSW Art and Design, remarked of the $10,000 Eden Gardens Award winning entry, Refuge, by Saskia Everingham, “This subtle yet sophisticated work combines a quirky physical aesthetic with deft use of colour to deliver a charming and purposeful installation which truly belongs on its chosen site and quietly changes it. It’s rare to find an installation that cannot be improved in some way … this contemplative but hopeful work – based on a traumatic life experience – is one exception!

 

Highly commended awards were given to Pamela Lee Brenner and Johannes Muljana for their dynamic work Bangaylan, and to Sally Kidall, for her floating portal Seed Bank.The student award winner was Christy Sin, from UNSW.  Her work, Rain at 42 degrees was described by Giddy as “Lyrical and playful – yet produced with tenacity and to great effect – this installation owns its site and is a tribute to the young artist’s vision and commitment. Its sense of ‘pop’ belonging, while enough to put a smile on your face, harbours some potent ideas hinted at by both the title and the use of what has become a twenty-first century symbol of resistance.

 

 

The Accessibility Award, sponsored by the Royal Rehab Foundation, went to The Night Music Box. Clinical horticultural therapist and judge Claire Boyle remarked, “It is not only accessible physically but unlocks the night sky to those that have low or no vision, translating a concept into a hurdy gurdy that can not only sound out the night sky, but also is tactile and awe inspiring.

 

This sprawling exhibition is free to all and runs for a six-month period.The interactive catalogue tells the story of each piece of work by the artist’s themselves and can be viewed virtually.  Visitors get to vote for their favourite work and there is a special Children’s Art Trail and child friendly signage caters to all ages.  Engaging workshops are scheduled throughout 2022.

 

https://edengardens.com.au/pages/eden-unearthed

 

#edenunearthed #edenunearthed2021

 

For interview opportunities or additional information or images please contact Eden Gardens:

Curator MeredithKirton | meredithk@edengardens.com.au |0417 698559

Marketing ManagerCatherine Makinson | catherinem@edengardens.com.au | 0412760020