Waste not, want not: Sculpture competition makes return

The Charles Jessop Memorial Sculpture Prize competition is back, after a six-year hiatus due to COVID-19 coinciding with the Niue Art Festival kicking off on April 22nd.

The competition encourages locals to unleash their creativity by transforming junk and unwanted waste into stunning 3-dimensional sculptures, with $2500 in prize money up for grabs for talented artists.

Founder and organiser Mark Cross says it was a chance for locals to get creative.

“We’re not looking for any specific theme or anything,” said Cross. “We just want people to let the materials they find govern what their art work is going to look like.”

This year’s competition features three categories: School Age (Year 3 and up), Open Age, and Preschooler/New Entrants with prizes for each.

Artists had full creative control over their work and were encouraged to use durable materials such as steel, rubber, aluminum as well as unconventional materials such as car parts, unused electronics, home appliances, and industrial waste. Registrations cost $10 at the Tahiono Art Gallery in Alofi and were open til tomorrow. So far, 17 had signed up.

Cross said he hoped the competition would provide a creative outlet for young children and parents on the island to interact and express themselves together.

“There’s plenty of interaction with the bush garden and sport I guess, but this is the same sort of thing in a creative way.”

The competition was established in 2015 in honour of the late Niue High School art teacher Charles Jessop who passed away suddenly in 2012. A close friend and collaborator of Cross, he was renowned for his contribution to Polynesian artwork.

In 1996, Jessop and Cross co-founded the Hikulagi Sculpture Park in Liku, Niue’s unique outdoor exhibit, where this year’s competition entries will be displayed.

Judging for the competition would be based on artistic merit, originality and durability. Cross said he was currently seeking a suitable judge for the competition.

“If there’s an impartial person, a little bit knowledgeable about art, come and see us because we need a judge.”

The prize presentation ceremony will take place at Hikulagi Sculpture Park on April 24th at midday. Completed sculptures must be submitted by April 21st to either the Tahiono Art Gallery or Mark and Ahi Cross’s residence in Liku.