Bathing Woman – Melting Pool 2

Hugh McLachlan

Figurative sculpture has always had a strong attraction for me. Sensuous figurative forms seemingly in a state of flow.

The polished surface of the figures wear the environment as a second skin, as the light and reflections change so does the sculpture, always dynamic.

I make my Sculptures from marine grade stainless steel, the highly polished  fluid lines of the figure gives the impression the sculpture is somehow poured into a mould. Nothing could be further from the truth. The sculpture starts life as pieces of heavy stainless steel rods and plate and are welded, ground and polished.

I was born in Alexandra Victoria in 1955 and studied Gold & Silversmithing & Sculpture at RMIT 1974-77, Mary and I moved to Deloraine in Tasmania in 1980 and established McLachlan Studio. Our 50 acre property is on the bank of the Meander River 6 kilometres from Deloraine.

My sculpture is a response to changing states where the sculpture, through the illusion of a highly polished surface, appears to flow, when in reality it is very hard stainless steel.

I find the work process is integral to the finished sculpture so I do all the making myself, allowing me to incorporate all the random ideas and directions that help breath life into a sculpture.

Collections and Prizes

incl NGA. Numerous solo and group exhibitions.

2019 RUPIO Prize for Metallurgical Excellence, Sculpture on the Farm NSW.

2019 Sydney Solo Exhibition Traffic Jam Galleries Sydney. Woollahra Small Sculpture Finalist 2016, Montalto Sculpture Prize finalist 2015, 2020, 2022.

Dick Bett Memorial Invitation Award,

SxS Bondi 2011, 2017, 2018.

SxS Bondi 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018.

Cottesloe 2013, 2015, 2022.

Sculpture for Clyde 2021 2023.

Yering Station Vic finalist 2022.

Training

1976     Associate Diploma of Art & Gold & Silversmithing - RMIT Melbourne

Exhibitions

2022     Sculpture by the Sea - Cottesloe WA
2022     Yering Station Sculpture Award Finalist - Yarra Valley, Vic
2021     Montalto Sculpture Prize Finalist - Mornington Peninsular Vic
2021     Sculpture on the Farm - Dungog NSW
2021     Sculpture for Clyde - Willinga Park, Bawley Point & Batemans Bay NSW
2020     Montalto Sculpture Prize Finalist - Mornington Peninsular Vic
2019     Sculpture in the Vineyards - Woollombi Valley NSW
2019     Sculptures in the Garden - Mudgee NSW
2019     Sculpture on the Farm - Hunter Valley NSW
2019     Solo Sculpture Exhibition ‘Narcissus Kiss’ - Traffic Jam Galleries, Mosman NSW
2018     Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi NSW
2017     Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi NSW
2016     Finalist in Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize - Sydney NSW
2016     Finalist in Artentwine Sculpture Prize - Tamar Valley Vineyards Tas
2015     Solo Sculpture Exhibition ‘Flow’ - Traffic Jam Galleries, Neutral Bay NSW
2015     Solo Sculpture Exhibition ‘On Reflection’ - Gallery Pejean, Launceston Tas
2015     Sculpture by the Sea - Cottesloe WA
2015     Finalist in Montalto Sculpture Prize - Mornington Peninsular Vic
2014     Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi NSW
2014     Finalist in Artentwine Sculpture Prize - Tamar Valley Vineyards Tas
2014     Group Sculpture Exhibition - Gallery Pejean, Launceston Tas
2013     ‘Hard Rain Sculpture’ - Gomboc Sculpture Park, Perth WA
2013     Sculpture by the Sea - Cottesloe WA
2011     Sculpture by the Sea - Bondi NSW

Represented

2014     Gomboc Sculpture Park - Perth WA

Public Collections

1985     National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
1984     Devonport Gallery & Art Centre Tas - three ‘Ned Kelly’ small sculptures
1981     Brisbane Art Gallery - two sculptural brooches
1979     Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Launceston Tas - small sculpture
1978     Meat Market Crafts Centre Melbourne - small sculpture

Related Professional Work

Represented in numerous private collections in Australia and Overseas
2019     Norton - Knight Travel Grant - Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee NSW
2019     RUPIO Prize Metallurgical Excellence - Sculpture on the Farm, Dungog NSW
2018     Dick Bett Memorial Award - Sculpture by the Sea Bondi NSW
2017     Sydney Morning Herald, Sculpture by the Sea Bondi 23 Oct by Sasha Grishin
2017     Dick Bett Memorial Award - Sculpture by the Sea Bondi NSW - Hugh
2012     Craft Arts International issue 84, pg 84 ‘Botanicus Unfamilia’ Sculpture
2011     Awarded the inaugural Dick Bett Award - Sculpture by the Sea Bondi NSW
1980     Established McLachlan Studio