Auckland based artist Simon Lewis Wards is the winner of the prestigious 2025 Small Sculpture Prize for his work Unboxing. Presented by Perpetual Guardian the $5,000 non-acquisitive prize was announced at the exhibition opening event at Waiheke Community Art Gallery on Friday 9 May. Wards writes of the bronze and glass crystal work ‘We chase the high of getting, not having. The box becomes the star, not what’s inside. My kids unwrap their gifts, toss the toys, and play with the packaging. Maybe they see it clearer than we do—it’s the moment, not the stuff, that really sticks.’

A total of 88 entries were received from across Aotearoa, with 32 works selected for the finalists’ exhibition. The Gallery Benefactor’s Merit Award was won by Auckland artist Debbie Tubb for her work Get Off the Grass.

The Church Bay People’s Choice Award will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition. This year’s selector and judge was Tim Melville. Melville writes of the award winners;

‘Simon Lewis Wards’ cast bronze and crystal glass work Unboxing pushes the viewer back and forth between disbelief and delight. The cast cardboard box looks as light as, well, cardboard, while the glass bubble wrap looks as soft as plastic. A technical tour-de-force by an artist at the top of his game with a wonderful “oh-my-god” quality.’

‘Debbie Tubb’s work Get Off the Grass delights the viewer in a completely different way. Her textile sculpture is a joyful extravaganza of off-kilter colour and tassels that pulls you in from across the room. The artwork has a personality that (while the artist probably didn't intend it) made me think of a small bird tearing across the wall at speed. Not many sculptures make you want to laugh, and this one is a perfect antidote for our dark times’.

The finalists this year are Gail Barratt, Christine Cathie, Annabel Cropper, James R Ford, Darryl Goode, Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler, Rebekah Hall, Lauren Hunt, Volker Hawighorst, Claire Jensen EDWARDS+JOHANN, Stina Gibel Kornfeld, Judith Lawson, Marion Manson and Ann Bell, Toni Mosley Chris Mules, Birgit Moffatt, Kiya Nancarrow, Ainsley O’Connell, Amie Redpath, Barbara Robinson Paul Rhind, Annie Smits Sandano, Sylvia Sinel, Karyn Taylor, Phil Taylor, Chris Wadsworth, Janna van Hasselt, Rebecca Rose, Simon Lewis Wards, Deborah Crowe, Debbie Tubb.

Running for twelve years the Small Sculpture Award is generously supported by Perpetual Guardian. With a total of $8,500 in prizes it is a significant award event in the New Zealand visual arts calendar. Showcasing works from all parts of Aotearoa; the award exhibition promotes excellence in art with many recipients going on to win other major art awards. The exhibition is on show at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery from 9 May to 8 June 2025.

Images:
1. Simon Lewis Wards, Unboxing
2. Debbie Tubb, Get Off the Grass

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