“I am very fond of all animals and I have sculpted a variety of them, but dogs are my favourite. Perhaps it’s because there are so many shapes, sizes, temperaments and characteristics that I have become so obsessed by them. Or perhaps because I do not have a real dog I am creating surrogate best friends for myself. I cannot answer these questions. Except to say that I have a very large pack of sculpted dogs living with me in my home, yard and studio and they bring me much pleasure by just being around.
The dog symbolises unconditional love and companionship which are two characteristics I very much admire. And they are also a symbol of my happy childhood.
As an artist, I enjoy experimenting with different styles. One of which is found object sculpture. This came fairly naturally to me, because I come from a family of collectors, who find inspiration in discarded things. In 1985, I held my first exhibition of my found object Dog sculpture and I felt I had developed an artistic expression which was truly me.
I later taught myself to work with steel and developed the oxy cut steel silhouette dog that I first exhibiting in Sydney’s annual Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi Beach. This style of sculpture was ideal for the coastal panoramas because it visually reads like strong line drawing in the landscape.” Geoff Harvey
Geoff Harvey Sydney based artist has been a practicing artist for over forty years. His practice moves across the disciplines of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, collage, assemblage and sculpture. He has exhibited widely in Australia including fifty solo shows. He has won numerous art prizes including 2012 Gallipoli Art Award. His work appears in collections in Australia and internationally, including Art Gallery NSW, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House and Lismore Regional Gallery.
