Super excited about this!! My good buddy Mark Holsworth has been working on this labour of love for some time now, and its finally getting to see the light of day! Encompassing Melbournes public sculpture in all its forms since way back at the beginning, til now – and all that street art stuff, this is a book to grab hold of, and a launch to get your ass to!

“Melbourne Books to launch one of the city’s most awaited art books.

Melbourne has an impressive number of sculptures on public display throughout the city. Just wander Melbourne’s city streets, gardens and laneways and you will undoubtedly find some magnificent public sculptures – from historical and religious icons to playful literary and social figures – all with rich historical weight. The book Sculptures of Melbourne explores major changes in the nature of public sculpture.

When Melbourne was established, sculpture was heavily influenced by the colonial legacy of neo-classical bronze and marble statues. From 1980 onwards, public sculpture changed dramatically, not only in style but in materials, location and sheer numbers.

This book, which includes controversial modernist sculptures such as ‘The Yellow Peril’ as well as unofficial laneway installations, tells the story of how the shifting trends in public sculpture moved from a classical style, to commemorative, to a corporate modernist style, to being integrated into urban design, and finally evolving into a contemporary style, which is non-traditional and temporary. Critics have unanimously hailed Melbourne’s collection of sculptures as notable narratives of place and time, which whilst stylistically different, have also established specific reference points and provided a rich reflection of the history of the city. These sculptures have come a long way from serving their decorative and utilitarian functions in the 1800s, to now embedding a strong historical beauty that is both permanent and ephemeral.

This is set to be one of year’s most memorable book milaunches! Don’t miss the sculptures, the installation works and the music.”

… and you know whats awesome? There is not one, but two book launches happening!

“Melbourne Books is pleased to announce two upcoming book launches of Sculptures of Melbourne by Mark S. Holsworth.

Come to Gallery One Three on Friday May 1 from 6pm for the launch party! The evening will include jazz (including The Smoking Owl – a fusion of live electronica, jazz, installation and new aesthetics) cocktails and artists at work! Mark Holsworth will be there to chat and sign books…

Then come to the Melbourne Art Book Fair at NGV International, where Sculptures of Melbourne will be launched on Sunday May 3 at 12noon in the Great Hall during the Fair!”

The inaugural Melbourne Art Book Fair at NGV International gathers together some of the most creative Australian and international book designers and publishers in an architecturally designed experience in NGV’s Great Hall.

So come along, entry is free and you can also take a look at the wares of some of the country’s leading publishers.”

We’ve got a lot more on this whole thing coming up, but for now – book in Friday and Sunday, and go get yourself a copy this weekend – and Friday sounds like a grand exhibition as well!!

Who: Mark Holsworth
What: Sculptures Of Melbourne book launch
Where & When: Gallery One Three on Friday May 1 from 6pm

Melbourne Art Book Fair at NGV International, where Sculptures of Melbourne will be launched on Sunday May 3 from 12noon in the Great Hall