Published: 15 November 2011

A sculpture created from a still-born deer has been awarded the prestigious Viewers’ Choice Award in the 2011 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize.

The unique work titled Lenore was created by Julia deVille, a jeweller, animal rights activist and taxidermist from Victoria, and symbolises ‘the celebration of life’.

More than 2300 votes were received in the highly-contested Viewers’ Choice category – a $1000 non-acquisitive prize.

The Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize has been established for 11 years and is the national prize for free-standing sculptures up to 80 centimetres.

The 2011 prize attracted 543 entries from national and international artists, and was judged by high-profile art identities Dr Gene Sherman AM and Professor Ted Snell AM.

Lenore was chosen as the public’s favourite from 40 finalists, which were displayed during a free exhibition at Council Chambers from 22 October until 6 November.

Other winners of the 2011 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize included:

• Margaret Seymour (Pas de deux) - 2011 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize $10,000 acquisitive award; and
• Jason Christopher (Battery Hens) - Special Commendation $2,000 non-acquisitive award.

Julia deVille exhibits her work at the Sophie Gannon Gallery in Richmond, Victoria, and is renowned for her artwork that combines traditional silvermaking techniques with taxidermied animals that have died of natural causes.

The artist said the winning sculpture was inspired by the poem ‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allen Poe, which describes a loss of love and the preservation of something beautiful.

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