Danish Artist Wins The Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize

By Dan Hutton on October 29, 2010 in

Danish artist Keld Moseholm was announced this week as the recipient of The Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize of $60,000, the main prize at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010 and the most generous sculpture prize in NSW.

The prize was awarded to Moseholm for his work mirroring 1995 at the launch of the 14th annual Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in Mark’s Park today by Hamish Balnaves, General Manager of The Balnaves Foundation. Moseholm is the second recipient of The Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize, after 91-year old artist May Barrie won the inaugural award at last year’s Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.

“A worthy winner” said Hamish Balnaves. “It is obvious that the quality in this year’s exhibition is very high. We are happy to fund this prize and be part of this great exhibition.”

Keld Moseholm was delighted with the win. Still in shock from the news he said “This is a complete surprise to me. I am very honoured, very privileged with the award and very honoured to be part of a public collection in Sydney. Our relationship to Australia is really good and this will build the connection between us even more.”

Born in 1936, Keld Moseholm is a Danish sculptor of international acclaim. He has been exhibiting for over 25 years in Denmark and internationally, in countries such as Sweden, Germany, France, Italy and here in Australia. This is Moseholm’s 6th year exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.

His extensive experience and devotion to his art has seen him enjoy much deserved success throughout his career. Keld has received awards from the Exhibition of Humour and Satire in Art, Bulgaria as well as the Prix Fondation Florence J. Goudl, at the International Exhibition of Contemporary Art in Monaco.

Moseholm is also a member of many organisations which include The Danish Society of Artists, The Danish Sculptors Society, The European Academy of Art, Science and Humanities and ISC International Sculpture Centre, USA.

Sculpture by the Sea founder David Handley said of the decision “Keld Moseholm was awarded the main prize for his witty and masterful work. The judges were unanimous in their decision. The matter, however, was keenly debated as the outstanding standard of the exhibition resulted in an exceedingly long short list”.

The Balnaves Foundation has been a proud supporter of Sculpture by the Sea since 1998, and is delighted to donate this major prize every year until 2018. The ten winning sculptures, including May Barrie’s time and tide granite monolith II and Moseholm’s work mirroring 1995, will be gifted to a soon to be announced public space in Australia, so they may be enjoyed all year round.

The Balnaves Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation established by Neil Balnaves to provide philanthropic support to charitable enterprises across Australia. Dispersing over $2 million annually, the Foundation supports eligible organisations that aim to create a better Australia through education, medicine and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged, and Indigenous communities.

Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010, the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition, will run from today until 14 November on the stunning Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. Each year the exhibition attracts approximately 440, 000 people to see the works of over 100 artists along the coastline.

Each year the exhibition attracts an array of talented sculptors from NSW and interstate, as well as gifted international artists from countries such as Denmark, Japan, India, New Caledonia and the USA.