Winners Announced
The winners of the 2024 Solar and Sun Bungala Sculpture Exhibition were celebrated at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta on Friday, 25 October 2024. This year’s entries showcased extraordinary talent, with artists from across South Australia crafting works inspired by the themes of solar energy, harnessing natural resources, and the unique arid landscape.
Award Winners
- 2024 Grand Prize Winner "David From Mars" - Marc Spurgin
- Youth Prize Winner "Ploughwer" - Scarlett Jones
- School Prize Winner "Celebration of South Australian Flora" - St Peters College
- People’s Choice Award "Ol' Lady Emu" - George Williams
This year’s People’s Choice Award winner George Williams charmed the community and visitors with his creativity and personal story. George, a young artist in Year 5, lives on a cattle station along the Oodnadatta Track in the far north of South Australia, about 650 kilometres from Port Augusta.
Sharing a glimpse into his unique life, George stated "I live on a cattle station along the Oodnadatta Track, about 650 kilometres up the road, where the sun is hot and works a treat! I’m in Year 5 and do my schooling through School of the Air in Port Augusta. Because we’re so far from towns, I don’t get to play sports or do a lot of the things other kids do. Instead, I’ve learned to weld by watching my dad in the shed."
Mayor Shine commended George’s achievement "Young George’s story embodies the spirit of creativity and resilience that defines our region. He has shown us all what passion can achieve, and we’re incredibly proud to see his work celebrated."
The Grand Prize Winner was awarded to Marc Spurgin, from Adelaide for his extraordinary sculpture, David from Mars. Marc’s work reimagined Michelangelo’s iconic statue as a Martian creation, sent to Earth in a steampunk-inspired spacesuit crafted from recycled materials. The sculpture blends the classic
stance of David with futuristic elements, reflecting humanity’s fascination with space exploration and Mars as our next frontier.
The Solar and Sun Bungala Sculpture Exhibition would not have been possible without the generous support of Enel Green Power who operate Bungala Solar Farm. Special thanks also go to the Port Augusta City Council’s Community Development team for organising the event and ensuring its success.
Recognition also goes to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden for hosting the exhibition and assisting with the sculptures, ensuring they remained standing even in challenging weather. Finally, we thank all the artists from across South Australia who participated and contributed their talents to this year's remarkable sculpture exhibition.
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