Tasmanian Bushland Garden Sculpture Trail (2020)

After submitting an expression of interest, Peter’s sculpture ‘Grass Trees’ was selected to be on display during October 2020. The theme was ‘The Nature of Tasmania’ inspired by all that is unique about Tasmania, and with grass trees being an icon of the Australian bush, they matched the setting and theme nicely.

Fashioned from corten steel, the material was perfect to represent this long-lived plant that also shows resilience in the face of bush fires. As well as portraying the strength of this species, Pete highlighted the plight of two Tasmanian species (the Shiny and Sand grass trees) that are currently listed as threatened.

Art Farm Birch’s Bay (2020)

Pete submitted a proposal which was accepted to take part in the annual sculpture trail at Birch’s Bay. The piece was entitled ‘Birds of a Feather’ and was exhibited for several months during 2020.

The individual characters for ‘Birds of a Feather’ were created from upcycled pieces of corten steel and then arranged together along an irregular circular track. The avian creatures in this piece have an almost human like character to them, with no two the same. Just as we all bring our own unique character traits to this world, Pete aimed to depict that despite our differences we are all held together by a common thread.

Sculpture Trail 2017

The theme for this years sculpture trail at Birch’s Bay was Warming to Nature: Exploring the shifting dialogue between artist and environment. In response to this Pete submitted 2 works, both being accepted and he exhibited one of his first Reed designs which combined, corten, copper and volcanic rock which was entitled ‘Fissure’.

The Artist Statement:

Emerging from volcanic rock, the corten steel twists and turns to terminate in pure copper, two metals which patina after being exposed to the air. Just as the sculptor has shaped and formed this piece, these geological phenomena are central to shaping and forming our environment throughout the course of history

The second piece entitled ‘Embrace’ with the Artist Statement reading:

The concentric circles of 'Embrace' wrap around a central leaf, the core alluding to the Egyptian symbol for the sun. The energy from the sun radiates to create life for the leaf, though further leaves on the base tumble down as they would in nature at the completion of their lifecycle

Art Farm Birch’s Bay (2016)

One of two pieces submitted for the 2016 sculpture trail was named ‘Air Plant’. Inspired by the leaves of these epiphytes that reach for the sky in search of water and light, the tallest of the air plant sculptures was over 3m high, a reminder of how many air plant species exist naturally high up in canopies.

An ongoing theme to Pete’s sculptures is the delicate balance that exists in nature. The second piece installed at the 2016 trail was ‘Amity’. Here two metals (corten and stainless steel) were merged together in a friendly union to reflect the balancing nature of the interaction between the host flower and the delicate hummingbird as it hovers nearby.

Re-turn to Wild Exhibition (2016)

Pete exhibited two pieces in this pop-up style exhibition focusing on the themes of being inspired by nature and returning to wilderness, with proceeds supporting the work of the Bob Brown Foundation.

’Nature's Rest' was constructed from Huon pine, a timber synonymous with 
the Tasmanian wilderness. 
The ancient timber contrasted with the modern steel material, which was rigid and newly formed, but then blend in colour and texture after being subjected to the elements.

‘Hummingbird' was a play on the union of two species from nature, sculpted in corten steel and contrasted with hand cut convict stone. The weathering 
of sandstone and corten over time are symbolic of the symbiotic relationship 
of the hummingbird and plant that ensure the survival of both species.

Sculpture Trail (2015)

This was the first year Pete exhibited at the Birch’s Bay Sculpture trail by invitation and 2 pieces were installed.

The first was a large cube balanced with angled steel legs and enabled Pete to play with scale after one of his first forays into geometric sculptures.

The second piece was an early seaside sculpture designed to mimic coral. This imaginative piece reveals itself in different ways upon walking around and viewing from various angles.