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Adult Sculpture
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WINNER, PEOPLES CHOICE AND PACKERS PRIZES "Topsy Turvey" by Alison Rose
My work ‘Topsy Turvey’ is an exploration of absolute thinking that can be a typical response to trauma. Using a doll from my childhood I am spotlighting this cognitive dysfunction. Black and white, all or nothing, good or bad, always or never. Thinking in these absolute terms can lead to things like perfectionism; if I am not perfectly good then I am hopeless. Or if you are wronged by another person then they are all bad and irredeemable, and so on.
This triptych looks at binaries created by absolute thinking with an overall message that highlights the fallacy of thinking in this extreme polarisation. Doll one is a message received in childhood; be the ‘goodest girl’ or you are BAD. Doll two represents living life in the myths of these extremes. Doll three is a whole, integrated individual who is a mix of good and bad. My understanding is that we are all a wonderful complex combination and that makes us completely and utterly human and whole.
This triptych looks at binaries created by absolute thinking with an overall message that highlights the fallacy of thinking in this extreme polarisation. Doll one is a message received in childhood; be the ‘goodest girl’ or you are BAD. Doll two represents living life in the myths of these extremes. Doll three is a whole, integrated individual who is a mix of good and bad. My understanding is that we are all a wonderful complex combination and that makes us completely and utterly human and whole.
HIGHLY COMMENDED "The Darkness" by Samantha Couzin
The Darkness shows some of the thoughts that went through my mind as a loved one was going through a mental health journey.
"Another Prawn on the Barbie" by Edward Kerr
I saw an exhibition at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. One exhibit was made of lots of old Barbie dolls. I wanted to throw a prawn on one of them, but touching the exhibits was not allowed.
"A Woman's Burden" by Trish Swift
A Woman's Burden is symbolic of the loss and burden of guilt that a woman carries after a miscarriage.
Buried deep in her womb, the placenta carries the 3 babies that were lost.
Buried deep in her womb, the placenta carries the 3 babies that were lost.
"Wood Nymph" by Bernadette and Brandon
We saw her. We chainsawed her. It was suggested by our support worker she would make a great entry in Blue Fringe.
"Teamwork (In the Soup)" by Adelaide Worcester
A gaggle of characters find themselves in a common crisis, swimming in hot soup. One is abandoned to struggle alone, unnoticed by their leader. Looking back now, I see they were simply trying to save themselves. This piece, part of a series on workplace bullying, prompts us to reflect on inclusivity within that oft-dreaded realm of ‘teamwork’.
"Bamboo grew in the body of the banksia" by Jamie Jude Smith
As a Filipino-Australian, my work speaks to my own search for identity as well as building new iconography for others of mixed heritage. This work references Judges 14:8-9 where Samson found that bees had made honey in the body of a lion he had killed. This work presents a less harrowing anomaly, two fertile symbols from different lands, one growing within the other.
"Little Living" by Misha Maddock
"Night Owl" by Ed Spear
A fun look at how we are all weird and wonderful in our own ways.
"Everybody has a chapter they don't read out loud" by Karen Stevenson
We are all broken, that’s how the light gets in.
A lifetime of bullying is a world full of pain.
The bully taunts and teases, until nothing remains.
Through bruises and tears, physical and emotional, words leave scars that just never heal.
I’ve created this lamp ‘from darkness to light’ —
a faceless, emotionless person climbing over hateful words, away from the black dog, towards a brighter, more colourful life.
Hoping one day to find it.
A lifetime of bullying is a world full of pain.
The bully taunts and teases, until nothing remains.
Through bruises and tears, physical and emotional, words leave scars that just never heal.
I’ve created this lamp ‘from darkness to light’ —
a faceless, emotionless person climbing over hateful words, away from the black dog, towards a brighter, more colourful life.
Hoping one day to find it.
"The Dragonfly's Realm" by Thaïs Turner
Glass mosaics is another craft I learned many, many years ago at Camp Creative. This piece hasn’t seen active service in a garden, as may have been intended. Plants and animals are two of my favourite themes for creative pieces.
"Nature is Beautiful" by Sarah Griffiths
I made this during a workshop run by Sharron Mountain, which was held at Penrith Regional Gallery in June 2025. This work can reflect how being in nature is always good for your mental health.
"Tiny Assorted Hair Clips" by Monique Donaldson
Due to my having a stroke, fine hand skills are difficult, I made these to practice using my hands in craft. I like doing craft that challenges my abilities. I find craft soothes the soul and helps positively affect mental heath.
"Fight or Flight" by Stevie-Lee Lane
‘Fight or Flight’ is a work which represents the strength and resilience of an individual who chooses to face their fears.
"Where to now?" by Ninette Boothroyd
Far from being a simple trajectory, life seems to be a journey through different places, and different moments in time. Sometimes we find ourselves in dark corners, but let us always try to look towards the light.
"Inspiration between the shadows" by Kayla Hellegers
I chose panda stickers and bamboo because I love pandas and wanted to add a little piece of myself into the art work. I used bright, vibrant colours throughout because colour helps elevate my mood. The words I included are inspirational. My aim is to send encouragement, empowerment and support to those who may need it, especially those who are living with disabilities as they are at greater risk of mental illness. Altogether it’s bright and positive and also a reflection of who I am and what I care about. I hope when people see it, they experience a little bit of joy.
"Shattered Allure" by Tina Giokaris
Creating mosaic feels like piecing myself back together. Each fragment I place holds a part of my story - What once felt broken becomes whole through my hands. Its not just art, it’s how I listen to my inner voice when words fall short. There's a quiet power in the process, a peace in the imperfections. My spirit lives in the cracks, in the colours,in the spaces in between. Mosaic helps me see that every piece - no matter how small or jagged- belongs. Through it, I reconnect with myself, one piece at at time.
"R is for Rose" by Rose Fitz-Patrick
My mum got me this R in the Christmas sales and it was red. I decided to paint it in my steam punk bronze, then I sponged it with my favourite colour green and stuck Unakite and Amazonite on it, and the cute little key and butterfly I painted. I added the green ribbon to it.
"Body of New South Wales" by Susan Chadd-Rodger
Created from a salvaged mannequin and an out-of-date Gregory’s street directory, this piece maps the human form through the lens of travel and memory. The familiar lines of suburban roads and highways curve over the body like veins, tracing journeys taken and paths imagined. By transforming a practical navigation tool into a skin of place, the work reflects on how geography shapes identity and how maps, like people, are never truly complete.
"Adoring Devotion" by Nicki Basedow
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