Previous submissions
Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival is a biennial event that exhibits sculptures from around the world and features some of Australia’s preeminent sculptors.

winner 2024
Ayako Saito
“One of my favourite childhood memories is sitting under the grand piano at home. The sensation of being in that space is something I attempt to embody and then reflect in my sculpture. I am fascinated how space can suddenly emerge and be defined by a mere two lines or less. I enjoy making sculptures that you can physically be inside, and which play with the imagination.
My sculptures take on unique and united forms, like people. All individuals are different yet complete in their own way. I also see my works like poems which use few words to describe the whole. I play with the shapes that I select and sometimes use cardboard to try out a shape before working in steel. I see what complements the shapes and their spaces and then find the next shape to add to it. I continue in this way until the whole form is self-contained.
My sculpture is made purely to be experienced with the intention of bringing pleasure to my audience. I make my sculptures because this sense of pleasure - without practicality - is an important part of being human".
Dancing in the Void, painted steel, 19h x 27w x 16.5d cm