Local artists Carl and Eden Plaisted have had their stunning work 'Novus' recognised at this year's prestigious Sculptures in the Garden (SIG) competition.

Now in its 15th year, the popular Mudgee art event received the highest number of entries in its history - a reflection of the strength of Australia’s contemporary sculpture scene and the growing national profile of the event, say organisers.

The Plaisted brothers, who relocated to Orange in 2019 to set up their 908 studio, have previously exhibited work at SIG and were thrilled to be awarded the $2,000 Cameron Anderson Architects Prize for Artistic Merit for their aluminium and steel work ‘Novus’.

“We are both honoured and humbled to receive the Cameron Anderson Architects Artistic Merit Prize this year. Being a part of this amazing annual event is a great privilege. The opportunities and exposure it gives artists to showcase their works is truly incredible,” they said.

This year’s exhibition selection committee included David Handley AM, founder of the iconic Sculpture by the Sea, along with renowned architect and contemporary artist Susan Rothwell AM, journalist, artist Sam Paine, and local Mudgee architect Cameron Anderson.

Founder and curator Kay Norton-Knight said the calibre of work this year exceeded already high expectations.

"We continue to see more creativity and skill, year on year,” she said. “It’s always a difficult decision for the judging panel, but this year’s entries were so exceptional that it really made their decision difficult. Congratulations to the artists taking home a prize and to all participants on a wonderful exhibition.”

Carl and Eden were among a number of Central West artists to feature in the list of prize winners.

The distinguished top prize – the $30,000 SIG and Mid-Western Regional Council prize – awarded for the most outstanding large-scale work, went to Vlasé Nikoleski from Charlestown, NSW, for their work ‘Inland Jetty’. This piece is made of marine-grade stainless steel, reinforced concrete.

The new $2,000 Mudgee Regional Tourism Small Sculpture Prize went to Nigel White from Mudgee, for ‘Ponytail’.

The $10,000 Friends of SIG Prize was awarded to Rhonda Castle, Wyong, for ‘Lania’.

The $10,000 Fernside Pastoral Company Prize was awarded to Alex Scheibner, Rylstone, for ‘The Unfulfilled’.

The $5,000 Buchanan Mudgee Hospital Small Sculpture Prize was awarded to Emma Ferris Mudgee, for ‘Twinkling Journey’, which will be displayed as part of the Mudgee Hospital public art collection.

The $300 Sculptor’s Society Sensory Sculpture Prize went to Fe Heffernan, Elizabeth Bay, for ‘Touch Words’.

The $500 young sculptor achievement prize went to Keizer Wood, Coonabarabran, for ‘Faith in Bloom’.

Sculptures in the Garden will continue until October 26.