Mystery donor saves Queenscliff art show

A COMMUNITY donor has come to the rescue of a Queenscliff art exhibition by paying to replace a stolen entry.

A gaping hole was visible along the handrails of Queenscliff Pier when thieves removed a popular print from Bellarine-based artist Pip Williams titled Pomegranate Flowers.

Queenscliff Art Prize organiser Chris Macleod was heartbroken to discover the missing piece earlier this month, after two further artworks were stolen from the outdoor exhibition on its opening night at the start of November.

After replacing the original lost works himself, Macleod said a local donor, who has asked to remain anonymous, funded the latest replacement and returned the exhibition to its full complement.

Macleod said he aimed to re-install the work this week.

“I am very grateful, it’s a particularly nice work,” he said.

“The artist had three works and the one that was stolen I thought was the best.

“It leaves a noticeable gap on the pier. I was very pleased to be able to replace it, because producing it on a one-off basis is significantly more expensive than when I did it in the big batch.”

Permits for the art show has prevented organisers from hanging exhibits more securely such as by drilling, due to concerns those methods could damage the historic pier.

Macleod, who created the event alongside his brother Adam, had planned for 87 pieces to feature along the pier in the lead-up to the event, but its collection has since grown to 131 works – comprising of 110 creative pieces and 21 photographic portraits.

He believes the size of the exhibit makes it the largest outdoor art event in Australia, surpassing the 100 works featured at Sculptures by the Sea at Bondi, Sydney.

Macleod said the event had been a success despite its hiccups, and hoped it would become a regular summer fixture of the Bellarine arts calendar.

“I speak to as many people on the pier as possible asking them if they like the exhibition, and resoundingly people have told me they think it’s a wonderful idea to see the art outdoors,” he said.

“I think the nice thing is the size of the art and the way it’s installed doesn’t detract from the historic pier.

“It sits nicely aesthetically with the pier, and the handrails just make a lovely exhibition space and they enjoy the backdrop of Port Phillip Bay.”

The exhibition will remain at the pier until the end of April.