Rio Tinto has gifted the third of three award-winning sculptures for permanent public display to the City of Busselton.
The artwork, Transition (2016) by Harrie Fasher, is an abstract steel horse depicting an Icelandic myth which featured in this year’s Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in Cottesloe.
Australian artist Fasher won the prestigious $50,000 Rio Tinto Sculpture Award at the 2018 Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe exhibition. The award is the most generous award for a sculpture in WA.
Fasher’s abstract steel work Transition (2016) depicts an Icelandic myth of a horse travelling between worlds that is rising out of the ground.
Ms Fasher said he was honoured to have the artwork in the heart of Busselton.
“The support Rio Tinto has provided artists through their work with Sculpture by the Sea is huge, and the impact of installing sculptures of this standard in the public domain cannot be underestimated.
“I am humbled by the recognition and excited to receive this support to continue translating the world through my creative lens.”
As the Sculpture by the Sea principal partner from 2016 to 2018, Rio Tinto has provided the annual $50,000 major prize to an exhibiting artist with the winning sculpture gifted to the City of Busselton for permanent public display.
Transition (2016) won the Rio Tinto award this year, and the impressive artwork was installed on the Busselton foreshore.
At the unveiling the sculpture, Rio Tinto Group executive, health, safety and environment Joanne Farrell said the sculpture completed a series of three sculpted artworks gifted to the city.
Ms Farrell said Rio Tinto was delighted to have gifted three magnificent public artworks to Busselton.
“It will take pride of place with the other two gifted works Column of Sound, by Harsha Vardan Durugadda and Parallel Thinking Space by Dale Miles,” she said.
City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley was thrilled to receive the sculpture on behalf of the city.
“The sculpture is a spectacular addition to the artworks on the foreshore precinct,” he said.
“Over the years Rio Tinto has invested significantly in the cultural and social development of the city, and we are very thankful for their continued support.
“I have no doubt this magnificent sculpture will capture the imagination of residents and visitors alike.”.
Transition (2016) is the final sculpture of three works to be gifted to the City of Busselton over the term of Rio Tinto’s three-year partnership with Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.
It has been installed near the 2017 winning sculpture, Column of Sound, by Harsha Vardan Durugadda.
The 2016 winning sculpture, Parallel Thinking Space by Dale Miles was installed in front of the Busselton library.
