Exhibition History
The Toorak Village Sculpture Collection began in 2008 when the very first large street sculpture was purchased by the Toorak Village Traders Association Inc, that is now permanently on display for all to see.
The committee of the Toorak Village Traders wanted to retain some of the sculptures so they can be viewed all year round, not just in May. It is also a unique statement for the Toorak Village shopping precinct – changing the retail streetscape in an artistic way. All sculptures in the Toorak Village Sculpture Collection are approved and supported by the City of Stonnington.
2025
2025 Exhibition
The 2025 exhibition was held between Sunday 1st September to Sunday 12th October 2025 and showcased 86 unique small to medium sized sculptures. This was a free exhibition, and all sculptures were original, made in Australia and available for sale. The exhibition included a printed Catalogue with map which guided visitors to artworks, displayed in the shopfronts throughout the village.
Initiated in 2002 by Ken Scarlett OAM and Xenia Holt—whose vision encouraged the business association to embrace a bold new partnership between art and commerce—the exhibition marked its 22nd year. Since its inception, it has showcased Australian‑made sculpture and supported thousands of artists who have contributed to the creative life of Toorak Village.
The exhibition was managed by the Toorak Village Traders Association and curated by Malcolm Thomson, an experienced arts professional with over 40 years of curatorial experience in the field of sculpture. The invited Judge for 2025 was Caroline Field, an Australian curator and writer specialising in twentieth century art writing and research, collection development, exhibitions, visual art projects and museum policy. She is Curator of the ACU Art Collection. Her previous positions included Manager of Australian Galleries, Director of the City of Horsham Regional Art Gallery, curator Deakin University Art Collection, and Founding Director of Stonnington Stables Museum of Art and Deakin University Art Gallery. Caroline was engaged to judge 3 non-acquisitive prizes totalling $15,000 with the overall winner receiving $10,000, awarded at a gala opening event in the village. In 2025 the $10,000 winning prize was proudly sponsored by Orchard Piper.
2002 Catalogue Cover
2025 Award Ceremony
2025 Award Ceremony
Awards
$15,0000 in total non-acquisitive Artist Awards were presented to 3 artists at an invitation only red-carpet Opening Event in Toorak Village on Saturday 30th August.
Sponsorship
Proudly supported by Orchard Piper.
Winning Sculptures
Crossing Borders by Phu La
ORCHARD PIPER Award $10,000 Recognising innovation and exceptional talent in the field of sculpture presented in the Toorak Village shopping streetscape.
Heavy Weight by Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan
Toorak Village Traders Award
$3,000
To a work that demonstrates the highest skill level of an artist in creating contemporary sculpture, with a special focus on innovation and a differing approach to sculpture.
Easterly I by Andrew Harry
Judges Encouragement Award
$2,000
A special award that encourages an artist who is recognised as a new talent in the field of Sculpture.
2003
2003 Exhibition
Following the success of the first Festival of Sculpture, the committee of the Toorak Village Traders Association decided to mount the Festival again in May 2003 and to make it an annual event.
Malcolm Thomson, Director of the Band Hall Gallery at Kyneton, was appointed as the 2003 curator. Malcolm selected 68 works by 52 artists, exhibiting in 54 shop locations along Toorak Road and the arcades.
Ms Winsome MacCaughey, Executive Director of the Australian Business Arts Foundation, officially opened the festival on Thursday 1st May 2003. Ms MacCaughey, in her opening speech, commended the Toorak Village Traders and the Stonnington Council for their recognition of the importance of cooperation between business and the arts.
The 2003 Festival of Sculpture was nominated for the ‘Sensis Small Business Award’ at the Australian Business & Arts Foundation (ABaF) Partnership Awards.
2002 Catalogue Cover
Awards
Two awards were planned but three were actually presented, as this years judges, found the quality of work so high that two winners of the City of Stonnington Sculpture Award were chosen. Both winners shared in the prize of $5,000. Judges were Liz Presa, Senior Lecturer VCA and Ken Scarlett, Curator of 2002 Sculpture Festival and Arts Writer.
Sponsorship
The exhibition was sponsored by the City of Stonnington, with supporting sponsorship by local businesses: Worrells, Henry Buck’s, Greythorn Galleries, Toorak Village Dental Care, Tok H Shopping Centre, Tok Corporate Centre, Bakers Delight, Haigh’s Chocolates, Biggin & Scott Real Estate and Toorak Rotary.
Winning Sculptures
Uniform by Kate Just
Worrells & Toorak Village Traders’ Emerging Artist Award $3,000
Dress by Gemma Nightingale
City of Stonnington Sculpture Award $2,500
Bush Bush by Vera Moller
City of Stonnington Sculpture Award $2,500
2002
2002 Exhibition
The first Sculpture Festival curated by Ken Scarlett featured 61 sculptural works by 50 Australian artists. 45 shop windows along Toorak & Grange Roads were used. Dr Gerard Vaughan, the then Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, officially opened the Festival on Wednesday 1st May 2002. The exhibition attracted a huge number of visitors, extensive media coverage, and sparked discussion of sculptural works as well as exciting the traders.
2002 Exhibition Curator, Ken Scarlett
2002 Catalogue Cover
Awards
The first Festival began with three non-acquisitive prizes donated by three local identities and art collectors – Rae Rothfield, Loti Smorgon and Sandra Velik, all donating $2,500 each. Consulting with Ken Scarlett, the three winners of the 2002 Awards were Bill Perin, Shona Nunan and Peter D. Cole.
Sponsorship
The exhibition was sponsored by the City of Stonnington, with supporting sponsorship by local businesses: Worrells, Michael Yeates & Co, Henry Buck’s, Tok H Shopping Centre, Tok Corporate Centre, Greythorn Galleries, Haigh’s Chocolates, Bakers Delight and Biggin & Scott Real Estate.
Winning Sculptures
Arrival by Shona Nunan
Non-acquisitive Award of $2,500
Cavity by Biull Perrin
Non-acquisitive Award of $2,500
Landscape Figure 2 by Peter Cole
Non-acquisitive Award of $2,500
The Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition is presented by the Toorak Village Traders Association and the businesses of Toorak Village with the generous support of Orchard Piper.