After the rain: OZ Minerals regional copper sculpture award winner exhibits work
29 Jul 2011
Tonight in Roxby Downs, artists Rachel and Mark Young, will open their new exhibition ‘After the rain’ as part of the South Australian Arts Living (SALA) Festival. Rachel and Mark Young, based in Roxby Downs, were the regional winners of the OZ Minerals copper sculpture award in 2010 which provided copper and funding to complete their work.
‘After the rain’ explores the delicate balance of life in South Australia’s arid region and was inspired by the environment surrounding Roxby Downs after 2010 and 2011’s abundant rain. Rachel Young, a jewellery maker and designer, along with her husband Mark who is a boilermaker by trade, has created a beautiful landscape using copper wire, sheet and rod as well as steel. In ‘After the rain’ birds formed from copper wire are in full flight across the South Australian landscape.
Winning the award has allowed Rachel to express her passion for the natural environment through her sculpture as well as increase her profile as an artist. “The award has allowed me the means to experiment with new techniques and further develop my creative practice,” she said.
OZ Minerals has been very impressed with the artwork produced by Rachel and Mark. OZ Minerals Managing Director and CEO Terry Burgess commented “Rachel and Mark’s artwork has beautifully captured the unique South Australian landscape and showcased the very attractive qualities of copper.”
‘After the rain’ will be exhibited as part of the SALA festival in the Cultural Precinct Gallery, Roxby Downs. The opening celebration will commence at 7pm on Friday 29 July 2011. Tickets are available at the door for $30 and include a performance by Cloudstreet, a folk singing duo from Queensland.
OZ Minerals’ copper sculpture award, metropolitan winner, Chris Ormerod, will unveil his copper sculpture on Wednesday 10 August 2011 at 9.30am outside TAFE SA in Adelaide. Schools winner Victor Harbor is putting the finishing touches on their copper signage which will be displayed on the front wall of their school.
About the OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award
The OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award is part of the South Australian Living Arts (SALA) Festival. 2010 was the first year the OZ Minerals Award was offered. Winners of the 2011 OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award had twelve months to create their artwork to exhibit as part of the 2011 SALA festival.
The OZ Minerals Award is similar to a commission. South Australian artists are given the opportunity to submit ideas and apply for assistance in obtaining copper and production costs. Artists are then able to sell their works after the SALA festival.
Winners of the 2012 Copper Sculpture Award will be announced at the SALA Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 9 August 2011.
About OZ Minerals
OZ Minerals operates the Prominent Hill copper mine in northern South Australia, located approximately 130 Kilometres from Coober Pedy and 130 kilometres from Roxby Downs. The mine has a preferential local employment policy with approximately 80 percent of its strong work force from South Australia.
OZ Minerals is proud to be an award partner of the SALA Festival.
Photos available:
After the rain - Rachel & Mark Young
For more information contact:
Nancy Bellistri
Communications Officer
OZ Minerals
(03) 9288 0249
0418 993 252