The biennial exhibition returns to Wollongong Botanic Garden in March
Key points:
- Wollongong City Council’s much-loved Sculpture in the Garden exhibition returns to the Botanic Garden in March 2027
- A record 81 expressions of interest were received with 21 successful artists from around Australia now set to exhibit their work
- An increased $53,000 total prize pool includes the $40,000 Acquisitive Prize and the $10,000 Ephemeral Prize, the latter for artists working with non-permanent materials
- The exhibition opens on 20 March and runs until 28 April, 2027
After running their eyes over a record number of entries, judges of the returning Sculpture in the Garden Wollongong exhibition have completed the unenviable task of determining the 21 works that will take up residence in Wollongong Botanic Garden from mid-March 2027.
Now entering its sixth iteration, Wollongong City Council’s biennial celebration of public art and the iconic Botanic Garden drew 81 applications from across Australia, an increase of more than 30 from the 2025 exhibition.
The work of the successful artists will be exhibited in the Botanic Garden and go into the running for the $40,000 Acquisitive Prize, with the $10,000 Ephemeral Prize – for artists working across installation with non-permanent materials – and $3000 Peoples’ Choice Award included in an increased $53,000 total prize pool.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said the free and much-loved exhibition is the perfect integration of public art and nature, two of Wollongong’s most prized and celebrated assets.
“Anyone who visits our beautiful Botanic Garden enjoys a truly enriching experience and that’s doubly the case when this wonderful exhibition arrives every two years,” Cr Brown said.
“More than 66,000 people visited the exhibition in 2025, and the record number of applications received this year from all over Australia speaks to its growth in stature in the arts community nationwide.
“It always offers something new and thought-provoking in what, for many of us, are the warm and familiar surroundings of the Garden. It is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors and experience the joy of public art as many residents and visitors alike have done over previous exhibitions.
“You don’t need a ticket, and you don’t need to go to a gallery or museum to be inspired by the 21 works that will be on open display. We thank every one of the record number of applicants we received this year, and a big congratulations to the successful artists.
“All of Wollongong is looking forward to seeing what the class of 2027 produces.”
In addition to the scale and scope of works, expressions of interest were required to outline innovative concepts to transform and activate natural areas, and how the proposed work will interpret and respond to the unique Wollongong environment.
The 2025 exhibition saw Melbourne artist Jenny Reddin take out the Acquisitive Prize with Affinity, a work that remains on display at the Garden. It also saw the launch of the new Ephemeral Prize, awarded to Stephanie Quirk for her work I Belong Under the Sun, You Belong Under the Sun.
The free Sculpture in the Garden Wollongong exhibition will be open 20 March – 28 April 2027 during Garden opening hours. The exhibiting artists are:
- Anita Johnson
- Cassandra Scott-Finn
- Danny Ivanovski
- Greer Taylor
- Janine Bailey
- Joel Gibson
- Jono Everett
- Laura Gordon
- Laura Nolan
- Libby Bloxham
- Lihnida Krstanoska-Blazeska
- Lizzie Buckmaster Dove
- Lucas Guilbert
- Luke Cornish
- Mark Niglia
- Matthew Calvert
- Matthew Grayson
- Peter Hewitt with Bianca Hester
- Sallie Portnoy
- Tammie Castles
- Virginia Keft
Stay tuned for updates at wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au/sculpture or follow Council on social media, or sign up for our e-news .
