ARTpark is proud to showcase a talented and diverse group of artists from Australia and beyond. Our artists work across a range of mediums and styles, from traditional bronze sculptures to contemporary metal works and mixed media installations. Whether they are established names or emerging talents, our artists share a commitment to innovation, quality, and craftsmanship. They draw inspiration from a variety of sources, from the natural world to urban landscapes and abstract concepts, resulting in a vibrant and captivating collection of outdoor sculptures in Melbourne. At ARTpark, we believe that art has the power to transform and enrich our lives, and we are honoured to represent these talented artists and their inspiring works.
Charles Blackman (1928-2018)
Highly acclaimed Australian artist and sculptor, known for his contributions to the Australian art scene. Born in Sydney, Blackman’s artistic journey began at a young age, and he went on to become one of the most influential artists of his generation. Blackman’s work is characterised by its rich imagination, emotional depth, and poetic language, which has garnered him widespread acclaim in the art world. His artistic style spans across different mediums, including painting, printmaking, drawing, and sculpture.
His artwork has been exhibited in major galleries around the world. In the 1960s, he was inspired by the works of Henri Matisse and Alexander Calder, leading him to create his own sculptural cut-outs. These were assembled in his studio, transcending traditional art forms. The cut-outs were shaped as maquettes for future sculptures. In 1993, the cardboard maquettes were showcased at Blackman’s retrospective exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. He expressed his desire to have the maquettes turned into bronze sculptures, which was realised on his 80th birthday. Each sculpture was signed by the artist and limited to a small edition. In addition to his significant contributions to Australian art, Blackman has been recognized for his achievements with numerous awards, including the Order of Australia.
Greg Johns
Greg Johns is one of Australia’s best known and most successful contemporary sculptors. Based in Adelaide, he has been making sculptures for public spaces since graduating from the S.A.N School of Art in 1978. He is a member of the New York Sculptors’ Guild and the International Sculptor Centre and has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, England and the United States.
Johns’ work is deeply influenced by the big sky country of the Adelaide Hills, characterised by its simultaneous toughness and vulnerability. However, over time, a layering of ideas has evolved within Johns’ aesthetic, which could be said to tie his work more tightly with the object matters of Melbourne based artists, rather than the Conceptual non-makers of Adelaide. Despite placing importance on the local context of his practice, recognition and acceptance of his sculpture has come largely, from outside of his hometown. In 2005 Johns was selected as a finalist in the Helen Lempriere Sculpture Prize, and he has received numerous public and private sculpture commissions.
Larissa Smagarinsky
Smagarinsky’s work is influenced by classical sculpture, but she also incorporates modern elements to create a unique style. Her figurative sculptures are known for their lifelike details, intricate textures, and dynamic poses. She uses the lost wax casting process to create her bronze sculptures, which allows her to capture the essence of movement and emotion in her work.
Smagarinsky’s sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Florence Biennale in Italy. She has also received numerous awards and commissions, including a commission to create a bronze sculpture for the city of Moscow.
Smagarinsky’s passion for sculpture is evident in her dedication to her craft. She continues to push the boundaries of figurative sculpture and explores new techniques to create her stunning bronze masterpieces. Her work is highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts, and she is considered one of the most talented and accomplished figurative sculptors working today.
James Parrett (2018 sculpture by the sea winner)
Parrett’s work explores the relationship between humanity and the natural environment, often using discarded industrial materials to create his sculptures. He has exhibited in various galleries and art fairs in Australia and internationally, including the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair and Art Central Hong Kong. Parrett’s sculptures are held in private and public collections in Australia, including the National Gallery of Victoria. James Parrett has been sculpting for over 25 years now. He has been a finalist in numerous sculpture prizes, created several solo exhibitions and awarded a number of commissions, most notably The Rabaul and Montevideo Maru memorial at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra 2012). James is winner of the Montalto Winery sculpture prize in 2016 and recipient of the 2018 Aqualand sculpture prize, the major award at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
Phillip Piperides
Phillip Piperidis is an internationally renowned artist and sculptor born in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1956. He migrated to Australia in 1967 and discovered his passion for sculpture as a teenager, studying under the tutelage of Russian-born sculptor George Virine from 1972 to 1976. Piperidis later travelled to Greece, where he trained under the legendary Greek sculptor Vangilis Moustakas and acquired extensive knowledge of bronze casting at the Dimitri Gavallas Foundry. He was awarded the Churchill Fellowship (Sculpture) in 1990 and travelled to Canada, the USA, and England to further his knowledge of monumental castings. Today, Piperidis is an internationally acclaimed artist and sculptor at the height of his career, continuously pushing the boundaries of the art world.
