Augustine Dall’Ava is a leading Melbourne based sculptor who has been working and exhibiting in Australia and internationally for over 45 years. He has held over 20 solo exhibitions and has been included in a large number of group exhibitions and events including several major public sculpture commissions. Intimate in scale, often colourful, the sculptures challenge the viewer with their balance/imbalance, grace, harmony and sensuousness.
Narrative, lyrical and philosophical imagery plays a strong role alongside the artist’s innate use of materials. The appreciation for the intrinsic quality of the natural materials used is defined by the workmanship and attention to detail in every element of every sculpture. Natural materials are shaped, manipulated, painted, obscured and stretched to the limit to create each sculpture.
Often working in a “series” the artist takes the viewer and himself on a journey. The theme of a “series” allows the artist to work over a period of years on a particular narrative and at the same time produce individual personal sculptures of an entirely different nature. Many of the sculptures lend themselves to the possibility of being on a grander scale which the sculpture commissions attest to. From small and intimate to large and imposing the sculptures are forever evolving.
Selected Recent Solo Exhibitions
2016
Configurations (with Pietro Capogreco) 45 Downstairs Gallery, VIC
2011
Recent Sculpture BMGART Adelaide
2009
JOURNEY: The Sculpture of Augustine Dall’Ava 1975-2008 McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park
2008
13 Dialogues John Buckley Gallery Richmond, VIC
2007
Sculptures 2002-2007 John Buckley Gallery Richmond, VIC
2004
New Sculpture Australian Art Resources, VIC
2004
Recent Sculpture, BMGART Adelaide, SA
2003
Sculpture & Drawings 1983-2003, Geelong Gallery, VIC
2002
If Only Carl Knew, Stonnington Stables Museum of Art, Deakin University, VIC
Selected Recent Group Exhibitions
2020
McClelland’s National Small Sculpture Awards
2019
Melbourne modern RMIT Gallery 344 Swanston Street Melbourne
2018
Chaos and Order RMIT Gallery 344 Swanston Street Melbourne
2017
Collectors’ Exhibition 2017, Lauraine Diggins Fine Art North Caulfield Vic.
2016
Collectors’ Exhibition 2016, Lauraine Diggins Fine Art North Caulfield Vic.
2015
Deakin University Small Sculpture Award
Deakin University Burwood Victoria Elemental. McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park
2014
The Object Divine Lauraine Diggins Fine Art, North Caufield Revelations, Sculpture from the RMIT Collection, RMIT Gallery Melbourne
2013
From Van Dieman’s Land to the MCG Lauraine Diggins Fine Art North Caulfield
2012
McClelland Sculpture Survey and Award McCelland Gallery & Sculpture Park
Bartlett, Byrt, Dall’Ava, Langford 120, North Melbourne
2011
Deakin University Small Sculpture Award, Deakin University Art Gallery
2011
The Elements within sculpture, Lauraine Diggins Fine Art North Caulfield Victoria
2010
Deakin University Small Sculpture Award, Deakin University Art Gallery
A Private View: Art Collecting in the City of Glen Eira, Glen Eira City Council Gallery
2009
The freedom of angels Sculpture in a century of upheaval, Geelong Gallery Victoria Deakin University Small Sculpture Award Deakin University Art Gallery
2008
Winter Collector’s Exhibition, John Buckley Gallery Richmond Victoria
2007
Something old, something new, John Buckley Gallery Richmond Victoria
2005
ART OMI Australia Retrospective Cell Block Theatre, National Art School, Sydney NSW
Contempora 2, Gallery NewQuay, Docklands Melbourne
2004
Open Air Sculpture Exhibition, Qdos Arts, Lorne Victoria Precious Platters, Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne
Education
1994 Maser of Fine Arts, Monash University
1971-73 Diploma Fine Art - Sculpture, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Collections
Australian National Gallery, Canberra;
Australian National Korean War Memorial,
Dept of Vet Affairs/Australian War Memorial;
Burnie Art Gallery, Tasmania;
Ballarat Art Gallery, Ballarat;
Deakin University Art Collection;
McClelland Gallery Victoria; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne;
Parliament House, Canberra;
Private Collections in Australia, Europe, USA;
State Bank of New South Wales;
Swinburne University;
University of New South Wales;
Victorian Arts Centre;
Western Australia Art Gallery, Perth;
RMIT University Melbourne;
Australian Catholic University Art Collection.
Open Tuesday - Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday - 11am -5pm
