Tasmanian artist, Bob Jenyns, has won Australia’s leading sculpture prize – the 2008 Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award.

His work, “Pont de l’Archêveché” (pictured above), named after the narrowest bridge in Paris, impressed judges with its apparent childlike joyfulness and whimsical qualities.

Evocative of a fairy tale lorry, the sculpture is a scale model of a caravan inspired by the historic lodging of Australin Artist Albert Tucker.

In the 1950’s, as a struggling artist in Paris, Tucker built a small caravan to live in, which he parked on the bank of the River Seine.

“Pont de l’Archêveché is a lyrical piece that reveals resonance on several levels from the toy-like construction and child-like optimism to the poignancy of the lonely traveller,” said Mr Alan Dodge, Chairperson of the judging panel.

Jenyns’ work will become part of the ‘Lempriere Collection’ and will be permanently sited in the Werribee Park Sculpture Walk, in Victoria, alongside previous winners, and the exhibition of finalists is on public display at Werribee Park until Saturday 31 May 2008.

lempriereaward.com.au/