Lockdown felt never ending - and so the mind turned to what is missing - the everyday, the people we see around us creating our lives .... well somehow I had all these wine bottles and I made them into lockdown companions: 'Maeve', 'Mr Braun', 'Wilhelmina', 'Gently', 'Maurice', 'I.See.You', 'Beat', 'Love me Tender' and 'Unity' - my community of fellow humans. From a time when we cared for each other by staying apart.

Judge's comments MIFGS 2023

I have given this first place for many reasons. Firstly, as noted its a work about the Pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Sculpture, like any other art form should reflect our times. In this work, a narrative work, we are reminded of those difficult times. It captures both humour and sadness, and the loss and loneliness that many of us suffered. I actually think it’s an important work not because of its workmanship but because of its content. The clever use of wine bottles as the basis for the characters to be wrapped around symbolised some people’s overindulgence - their escape from the rigours of the plague called COVID-19. I liked the idea of shelves being used for the artist's imaginary bottle characters to rest upon. Actually, I am surprised that there were not more works in reflecting on the once in a century societal upheaval of the last 3 years.

Pamela Irving Judge Sculpture MIFGS 2023