Heart and soul goes into pieces

The City of Rockingham’s popular Castaways Sculpture Awards is just around the corner.

The awards have received 75 entries, with 38 selected including Greg James, Janet Nixon, Yuko Takahashi and Lesley Barrett.

Combining the theme of recycling and environmental awareness, Castaways focuses on the creative re-use of materials and innovative sculpture with $20,000 worth of prizes available.

Record numbers are expected this year at Rockingham foreshore and Churchill park between October 22 and 30.

Deputy Mayor Deb Hamblin said the artists had come up with some amazing sculptures.

“Normally held in May each year, the move to October should see us avoid the bad weather conditions we have experienced in the past three years,” she said.

Barrett began entering Castaways five years ago.

“I just enjoy it — it’s good fun,” she said. Her entry this year, titled FRANCIS — francis bacon, was inspired by the famous artist of the same name, and once finished, will consist of three pigs with bronze ears, tails and wings.

“I liked his work and it seems to relate to it (Castaways) a little bit so it worked out quite nicely — it’s made out of metal offcuts from a factory,” she said.

Once it’s finished, Ms Barrett estimates she will have spent two-and-a-half months creating her masterpiece.