Artist Statement

Working with rock reflects my personality. Strong… with some fragility. I am forever looking at space.
Nature creates beautiful rock.
With Australian rock all my sculptures have been worked and enhanced to create sculptural forms.
These organic functional pieces complement and enhance the form and colour of each individual rock.
My outdoor sculptures are designed to encourage and support ongoing life for creatures large and small, for them  to drink, to live and to evolve with nature itself…
Indoor sculptures allow for flowers and plants to be displayed or be a decorative pieces.
The joy in creating this work involves tactile interaction as well as an appreciation for the natural characteristics of the rock.
There is a certain privilege to working with ancient Australian rock.
I invite you to touch my sculptures and feel the energy…

Jules Van de Sande

Biography

Born in 1961, and raised on a farming property in near Tenterfield Northern NSW, surrounded by bushland, encompassing gullies, waterfalls and rocky outcrops.

As a child, uncounted hours were spent exploring the landscape and collecting natural materials, and at school, I studied lapidary which helped to develop my interest and early skills for cutting and polishing stone.

Choosing hairdressing as a career has enabled me to continue working creatively, utilising hair and head shapes to design three dimensional forms and structures.

Naturally, hair styling complements my passion for rock carving and both bring continuous challenges and enjoyment.

I was able to return to my love of stone after moving to Bowral in 1990, having spent many years living both overseas and in Sydney.

In 1991 my carving of rocks began, working at Ken Raffe Studio in Bundanoon NSW.

In 1992 studied at Moss Vale TAFE a Diploma of creative Arts.

One of my creative privileges was to be invited to study rock carving under May Barrie at her Callemondah Studio, Calderwood NSW.

May was a highly respected and renowned sculptor and being able to work alongside and under her tutelage, gave me inspiration, sharpened focus and creativity.

Winning Sculpture By the Sea Sydney Australia in 2009

Sadly May passed away in 2014.

My own studio in the Joadja Valley is set amongst rugged outcrops, large skies, a river and surrounded by wonderful bush, which provides inspiration personally and for my works.

My creative energy flows when working with rock as it reflects my own personality; strong but with some fragility and forever looking at space, colour and strength in life.

I have been fortunate in sharing my passion for rock carving and have exhibited with the following …

2023 Exhibition Autumn Resonance White Cottage Retford Park
2023 BOCCA BDAS Bowral
2023 BDAS Sculpture Prize Bowral – Highly Commended
2022 Artisans In The Garden Botanic Gardens Exhibition Sydney
2022 Art Trail exhibition Inspiration to Creation Retford Park Bowral
2022 Guest Artist ARY Artist of the Round Yard Retford Park Bowral
2022 BDAS BOCCA Best of City And Country Art
2022 BDAS Sculpture Prize – Highly Commended
2021 Winner Wingecarribee Shire Council ARTStrail – Peoples Choice Award
2021 BDAS Sculpture Prize
2021 Private Commissions
2020 Sculpture Exhibition ‘The Balance’,  Wingana, Bundanoon NSW
2020 Southern Highlands Art Trail
2020 BDAS Sculpture Prize
2019 Private Commissions
2018 Highlands Art Trail Joadja Gin Distillery
2018 ‘Tribute’ Wollongong Project Gallery
2018 Callamondah ‘Tribute’ Exhibition
2018 Private Commissions
2017 ‘Materialise’ Sturt Gallery Exhibition
2016 Solo exhibition Bowral District Art Society
2016 Bowral Sculpture Prize BDAS
2014 Art Feast – Berrima Public School
2013 Southern Highlands Art Trail – Harman Studio Burrawang
2013 May Barrie Calemondah Studio Calderwood
2012 May Barrie Calemondah Studio Calderwood
2005 Berrima District Art Society
2003 Milk Factory Gallery Bowral  Collaboration
1999 Open Gardens Meryla
Pre ’99 Private Commissions