Pannekoek recognised at Sculpture by the Sea

Western Australian artist Johannes Pannekoek has won the $30,000 Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill Sculpture Award, kicking off the 20th year of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.

Perth-based Mr Pannekoek is an artist and sculptor, and his award-winning artwork Lifeblood marks his ninth year entering Sculpture by the Sea.

Lifeblood was inspired by the movement of winding rivers and curving shapes within nature, representing the vital force flowing within living organisms on the planet.

Mr Pannekoek said his sculpture aimed to inspire reverence and reflect the responsibility humans have to protect the lifeblood of our planet’s natural ecosystems.

“As much as I personally loved creating this artwork and having peers recognise it as a strong work, I never imagined winning this award,” Mr Pannekoek said.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to exhibit and for what Sculpture by the Sea has done for me and all artists.

“Thank you so much to Hancock Prospecting and Roy HilI for this generous award and I must mention the support of my family and especially the great contribution from my trusty team of assistants.”

Sculpture by the Sea founding chief executive and artistic director David Handley thanked Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill for supporting Sculpture by the Sea and its various artists.

“Harry began his journey as a sculptor in the early years of Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe and has developed into one of the most important sculptors in Australia today,” Mr Handley said.

The award was judged by arts writer and coordinator Paola Anselmi, storyteller and artist Ron Bradfield Junior and Victoria-based Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park curator Geoffrey Edwards.

Lifeblood by Johannes Pannekoek. Photo: Jessica Wyld

It was also announced that Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill would donate the winner of the award from last year’s Sculpture by the Sea to the Town of Cottesloe’s permanent public collection.

The winner of the 2023 Hancock Prospecting and Roy Hill Sculpture Award and therefore the sculpture being donated is Sandbar by NSW-based James Rogers.

Town of Cottesloe Mayor Lorraine Young said the local council was delighted to accept the donation.

“Sculpture by the Sea is a very significant part of Cottesloe life,” she said.

“To have this wonderful piece added to our sculpture collection is a gift to the Cottesloe community and to the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to Cottesloe every year.”

Sculpture by the Sea runs for 18 days from March 1 to 18 and is expected to attract more than 250,000 local, interstate and international visitors to Cottesloe.

This year will see sculptures from more than 70 artists across 14 countries displayed at the beach.