A local artist has hit a bull’s eye, taking out the National Farm Art Sculpture Award at the annual Spirit of the Land festival in Lockhart.
Wahgunyah local Andrew McGill entered a stunning sculpture, “George the Friesian Bull,” in the sculpture award categories, and took home the coveted title and a $10,000 cash prize.
The accolades didn’t end with the prize money, as the Bendigo Bank made an unexpected offer to purchase his creation for an impressive $19,000, leaving Mr McGill feeling like he had won the lottery.
“When I heard I had won, I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe it,” he told the Free Press.
“I went there just to show it off. I wasn’t expecting to win or to sell it,” he said.
“I made a turtle as well. When I went to pick it up on the Sunday, I received a phone call saying not to worry about it as it had been sold as well. I received $4,000 for it.
“I don’t make them to sell, I just make them because I like them!”
The Spirit of the Land festival is renowned for showcasing the rich rural heritage of the Lockhart region and highlights the artistic talent of locals and visitors alike.
Mr McGill spent around 12 months working on the bull, committing Saturdays to the job.
His journey into metal sculpting was an unexpected one, sparked during the COVID-19 lockdown when he couldn’t indulge in his passion for golf.
“The kids saw something on the internet that they wanted me to make, so I made a horse head, and it came out really well,” he said.
“Everyone loved it, so I kept going, and made a complete horse. It went on display at the supermarket and was sold within two weeks.
“I didn’t really want to sell it, but I couldn’t keep them at home, my wife would go nuts.
“Currently I’m making something for the Empire Hotel in Wahgunyah. I’ve also made a fish for IGA Corowa.”
Most of the intricate details and parts for Mr McGill’s sculptures are donated by local businesses.
“Sometimes I have to buy steel to do the middle parts where all the strength is, but that’s pretty much it,” he said.
“From there you just use your imagination and see what you come up with. I’ve always a bit a bit different.”
Despite his newfound success in the world of metal sculpting, Mr McGill remains committed to his day job as at a local winery.
“I love where I work at Cofield Wines, and I come up with ideas during the week. Then, I look forward to bringing them to life on weekends,” he said.
“I couldn’t do it full time; I’d rather keep it as a hobby.”
The inspiration for “George the Friesian Bull” came from Mr McGill’s time at a local dairy, where he worked closely with a real-life bull named George.
“George was bull at the farm, and he was pretty tame. He let me let me measure the points on him. I wrote down all the measurements.
“From there it all just come to life. You don’t really know the full picture of how it will turn out but, you just work bit by bit and trust the process. It’s hard to explain.
“I just really love it. I want people to look at it and see something different every time. It’s all rubbish to begin but you look at when it’s finished, and it’s looks pretty cool.”