Music Celebrates Art at Winners’ Sculpture Show

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The Willow Neilson Quartet and singer Gyan entertain at the 10th Anniversary Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show Opening Day.

“Something to touch everyone” sums up the spirit of The Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show, sponsored by WHK Rutherfords, which is celebrating its first ten years with an extravaganza garden party on Saturday, 17 September. The show’s opening day will unveil the latest works of 44 artists from around Aust

ralia, and the UK and New Zealand, who have helped make outdoor sculpture a force in the Northern Rivers region. All previous winners of the show, their efforts will once again grace the rainforest gardens of Thursday Plantation with a display of arresting beauty, technical ingenuity and strong statements. From monumental to small-scale, from bold to quirky, the works address many themes with a strong emphasis on social and environmental issues.

Contemporary music will also be in the limelight at the opening party. One of Australia’s finest young saxophonists, Nimbin-born Willow Neilson, will take the stage with an ensemble reputed for warm, funky jazz. The quartet includes Byron Bay bass player Tieri Fosmale, Sydney guitarist Carl Dewhurst, and Brisbane drummer Ken Edie.

Since graduating from Sydney’s Conservatorium in 2000, Willow has gained international recognition, most notably at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2003 and the London Jazz Festival in 2004. He is now based in Melbourne.

Joining Willow’s quartet for a guest appearance will be Gyan. The platinum-awarded singer’s enchanting voice and lyrics have gained her fans worldwide, including megastar Ricky Martin, with whom she has recorded. Her latest album is a collection of songs she has composed from Michael Leunig poems.

Thursday Plantation is located at TP Health’s headquarters on the Pacific Highway, 20 minutes south of Byron Bay, near Ballina. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic or else lunch at the Verandah Café. Entrance to the opening costs $5 with a free catalogue and includes a chance to win season tickets to the Woodford Folk Festival.