DAVE HICKSON
Born in Aotearoa/New Zealand in 1971, Dave lived in Auckland, Canterbury and Singapore before moving to Australia to live in Sydney’s Inner West in 1997. He has lived on Minjungbal Country on the New South Wales Far North Coast since 2008. Dave majored in sculpture at the National Art School in Sydney, winning the Julian Beaumont Sculpture Prize in 2002, and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Sculpture in 2003. In 2005 he completed a Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) and is now a part time sculpture teacher at TAFE NSW campuses in the Northern Rivers. He primarily works from his studio in Ocean Shores.
According to NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, there are fewer than 200 breeding pairs of pied oystercatchers estimated in NSW, facing multiple threats. The conservation project aims to keep predator numbers low, protect their habitat, reduce recreational impact, and install signage at major nesting sites. ‘The Last Pied Oystercatcher’ aims to bring attention to this concern and the potential loss of this incredible bird from the South East of Australia.
Can you describe your creative process from concept to completion?
It often involves being in nature or the environment more generally, taking photos or drawing. Then making a series of exploratory drawings, then working with collage or cardboard to refine dimensions and composition. Sourcing materials and constructing a final piece, whether it is in wood, metal, clay or mixed media – it is a similar process.
Where do you look for inspiration? What themes do you find most interesting?
Nature, society, the human condition.
What role does location or environment play in your sculptures?
It plays a huge role. The environment and a sense of place is key to most of my works.
How do you feel when you see people interacting with your sculptures?
Love it. Feels great to give people a smile or a little bit of joy.
Describe your dream project.
To make a jungle gym for adults. I saw an installation in Mexico city many years ago – which was a large gridded climbing frame – which was designed as a space for people to climb then sit somewhere in the grid and have a conversation.I think we all need to take time out to talk to each other. I would do it a bit differently, but I like the concept. I would also like to make portraits of people who struggle with different abilities and install as public sculpture or as murals.
Come and see for yourself at SWELL Sculpture Festival, Pacific Parade, Currumbin 6th – 15th September.