“…I [explore] the figure and head as a vehicle for story-telling and expression…”

Judith is a South Australian sculptor and ceramicist. Whilst her passion is in the field of sculpture she is also an accomplished oil painter. She is known for the complexity of her technique and her ability to communicate the essence of her subject to the viewer.

Judith has often explored religious themes through sculptural works. “Mary Mackillop and Children” was her first major public bronze sculpture and was unveiled in 2009 for the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese. Her treatment of the bronze patina is one of the key features of this sculpture and adds great interest to the surface with touches of white, blue and gold. Another sculpture of Mary Mackillop was unveiled in 2012 at the Mary Mackillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney. Her attention to historical accuracy is also important to Rolevink with a careful consideration shown in her treatment of clothing.

Her 2014 bronze of the of the South Australian cricketer George Giffen is a testament to Rolevink’s ability to capture the personality of her subject. Residing at the newly constructed Adelaide Oval, this is an imposing 2.25 metre high work. She also works with coloured patinas on this bronze.

Throughout her works be it sculpture or painting; Judith has a desire to capture the essence of the person she is conveying together with their thoughts and feelings.

Although she sculpts alone, she is part of the bigger community of artists in Adelaide and she is in contact with other artists through Guildhouse and SALA and continues to study.
www.jrolevinksculptor.com.au
www.jrolevink.blogspot.com

 

About My Work

Commissioned Bronzes

I am happy to discuss prospective work as a commission.

Commissioning work begins with a discussion of interested parties to explore a mutual and pleasing outcome. From ideas  and drawings, a maquette is produced. A maquette is a smaller scaled three dimensional sculpture proposal and is usually the blueprint for the larger sculpture.

Once approved, a full scale armature is constructed.  Traditionally the modelling in clay begins with working an unclad figure before adding details of clothing.

After approval of the finished clay sculpture, moulds are taken by the foundry and a wax positive copy is taken from the negative rubber moulds.

The hollow wax castings are sprued and the internal space is filled with investment and pinned to prevent movement of the wax then encased in refractory moulds.

The refractory moulds are heated to melt out the wax and strengthen the mould. As the moulds are heated, bronze is melted at 1090 degrees c and the molten bronze is poured into the moulds and left to cool.

The moulds are broken open and the bronze is sandblasted to clean, then work begins on the long process of cutting, grinding, chasing and welding to bring the piece together again in its original form.  Patination of the bronze, finishing with a hot application of wax protects and seal the sculpture from the elements

Limited Editions

Miniature St Mary MacKillop and Children Bronze. Limited Edition

This series is commissioned by the Adelaide Archdiocese as a miniature bronze after the unveiling of the original large bronze in 2009. It stands30cm tall on a Jarrah base.
Orders for this commemorative bronze can be ordered through the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese.
Contact Jane Juniper on 08 8210 8223 E: jjuniper@adelaide.catholic.org.au

St Mary MacKillop Cold Cast Bronze Bust

Schools and interested parties are offered a sensitive image of Mary MacKillop as a “cold cast bronze” sculpture that is affordable. This is a signed limited edition of 10 and a plaster Artist Proof (AP). The life sized sculpture holds a crucifix to her breast.
Mary  is shown as a caring, devoted and passionate young woman used to hard work. Her face shows kindness and compassion.
The “cold cast bronze” is an epoxy resin cast with the gel-coat (outer layers) being loaded with very fine bronze powder to give the look of a true foundry cast bronze without the expense of the bronze foundry. The drawback is the life of the “cold cast bronze” about 30+ years if it is to be placed outdoors. It will need some maintenance in the way of UV protection, similar to boat hulls. A CCB bust indoors needs no special protection other than waxing.
The cast is treated with the same patina as bronze and waxed in the same way. The cast is backed with fibreglass and filled with a mixture of resin and aggregate to further strengthen and give the cast the weight of bronze.
The work can be installed on a base of stone or similar plinth, at 80 -100cm.
The cast has stainless steel anchor  rods to be imbedded in the base using “Chemset” for permanent anchorage.
The cast dimensions are H:83 cm, W:60 cm, D: 52 cm
This edition of 10 is now finished.
The artist proof has been acquired by the Mary MacKillop Museum, Kensington SA.

St Mary MacKillop Life Sized Bronze Bust

Two bronzes were cast as a Limited Edition of 2 from the above moulds.

 St Mary MacKillop Half Life Sized Bronze 2016

A new St Mary MacKillop bronze is in production to replace the CCB Bust in 2016 and is a Limited Edition of 10.
A smaller 60cm sculpture of St Mary as a Limited Edition is planned for 2017.

St Mary MacKillop White Concrete Bust 2016

A white concrete bust for outdoor placement is available, replacing the cold cast bronze bust.
It has a smooth white marble like appearance. The white concrete bust is made with marble aggregate and a high molecular weight polymer concentrate and is reinforced with fibreglass fibres.
It will be able to be placed outdoors and will last for the foreseeable future. It will be good for schools and churches wanting a statue to place outdoors in a garden setting or equally good indoors
It needs a plinth at 80-100cmH.
It will be produced in a limited production for as long as the mould reproduces faithfully

Bronze and Glass

A small amount of figurative bronzes were produced whilst working with Adelaide TAFE SA in the Dance Studios.
Glass casting through UNISA, cast in crystal glass.

Clay

Work on various portraits are part of sculpting.
In response to looking at terra cotta sculptures from the 16th century at the Art Gallery of SA work began in terra cotta clay at the beginning of 2016 with a series of small heads, some featuring coloured slips.
I have taught  interested groups the art of sculpting a head in clay.

Paintings

Portraits give a glimpse of the sitter’s character. Painting is my recreation.
Finalist in Prospect Portrait Prize2013 and 2001, winning the Packers Prize in 2013
Finalist in Xstrada Percival Portrait Prize QLD 2012
Semi Finalist in Doug Moran National Portrait Prize NSW in 2012

Restorations

Working with churches also leads into restoring early 20th century Italian statues, figurines, nativity sets and Stations of the Cross. These were beautifully done early last century and are respectfully treated and repaired so as to minimise any major changes to the pieces.
Work can be done on outdoor statues needing repairs.