Giant Ghandi Sculpted from Sand for Martyr's Day

Sixty-two years after Mahatma Gandhi's death, nearly 150 artists from across India assembled at the beaches of Pandabar. Sand sculptures depicting Gandhi's life and values were created just in time for Martyrs' Day, Jan. 30. [Credit: Sify]

INDIA — On January 30, 2010, sixty-two years after Mahatma Gandhi was killed, thousands came to the beach near his birthplace to pay homage to the Indian spiritual leader. The date is observed annually as Martyrs' Day, and this year 150 artists from across India came to the small port town of Pandabar to create 75 magnificent sand sculptures depicting Gandhi's philosophy of peace.

"With this event, we want to give youngsters a feel of the life of the Mahatma and his values. We have involved some 150 people — students of fine arts and artists..." an event organizer told the press.

The works are on display until February 5.

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Giant Ghandi Sculpted from Sand for Martyr's Day

91-Year-Old Carves Her Win in Stone at Sculpture By the Sea

SYDNEY -- The 13th annual Sculpture by the Sea festival opened this week at Sydney's beautiful Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. One of the most popular sculpture exhibitions in the world, the Australian event has attracted over 4.3 million people since it's inception in 1997.

This year's winner was a surprise to many - a 91-year-old grandmother named May Barrie. Her granite carving, entitled Time and Tide Granite Monolith II, was completed in 1996 and beat out 113 other entries for first place. Barrie graduated from the National Art School in Melbourne and has been a sculptor most of her life. "I know it's a good work and now I'm glad that other people agree. I'm surprised and pleased to have been given this award. I hope I'm not just dreaming this," Barrie said. She plans to share the the $54,000 (USD) first prize with her family.

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Sculpture by the Sea (Oct. 29 - Nov.15, 2009) | Website
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91-Year-Old Carves Her Win in Stone at Sculpture By the Sea

Emerging Artist Wins Big in Temple University Art Competition

PHILADELPHIA -- Doesn't this October seem to be the month of art competitions offering hefty cash rewards? First there was ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. And this week, the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Pennsylvania, named a winner in the world's largest juried visual art prize granted by a university.

28-year-old painter/sculptor/filmmaker and Philadelphian, Ryan Trecartin, was awarded $150,000 cash in the first annual Wolgin International Competition in the Fine Arts. Trecartin won for his 50-minute video entitled Sibling Topics (Section A). "I'm completely honored. This is going to change my life and my practice," remarked Trecartin at Thursday night's award ceremony.

The Wolgin Competition was endowed by Philadelphia real estate investor, Jack Wolgin. 20 competitors were chosen by an advisory board seeking to find "an emerging artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries and exemplifies the highest level of artistic excellence."

Trecartin, however, doesn't exactly personify an "emerging" artist, having exhibited at the 2006 Whitney Biennial, the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles), Saatchi Gallery (London) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York). The other two finalists, Sanford Biggers and Michael Rakowitz, have similarly impressive curricula vitae. Perhaps contest organizers should redefine their criteria/mission statement before next year's competition.

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[Read More - Philadelphia Artist Takes First Wolgin Prize | Philadelphia Inquirer]

Emerging Artist Wins Big in Temple University Art Competition