Utopia Arts Centre
Facilitator: Mal Wood
Dates: 18–21 November 2025
Location: Utopia Arts Centre
1. Project Overview
Across four days, Mal Wood delivered sculpture workshops at Utopia Arts Centre, introducing artists to basic sculptural techniques using clay and wax. The workshops were offered in kind as a pilot program to test, learn, and document how future sculpture workshops could be improved and structured. They were designed to be practical, hands-on, and comfortable for artists at all experience levels, with a focus on learning through doing. Mal encouraged artists to explore new materials and processes, and to translate familiar ideas from their existing practices into three-dimensional form.
In addition to teaching, Mal used this pilot to assess the practical requirements of running sculpture workshops at the Art Centre, including material needs, time commitments, travel considerations, and the associated costs of mould-making and casting. The project also helped identify which artworks may have potential for future resin or bronze casting, particularly where there is the possibility of sales or further artistic development.
2. Participants
A total of 10 artists took part during the week. Attendance grew as the workshops progressed, with new artists joining after seeing others working and wanting to participate. Some artists had never made sculpture before, while others drew on their experience in drawing, painting, and carving. Engagement was steady throughout, and artists asked strong questions, tried new approaches, and supported each other’s work.
3. Workshop Activities
Day 1 – Introduction & Design
Group discussion about sculpture ideas and examples of sculptures were shown.
Artists sketched simple concepts
Armatures were built using welded steel and wire; some artists chose to work in relief directly on the board
Demonstration of attaching clay to the armatures
Artists began building their sculptures
One sculpture was completed and moulded on the same day
Dinny Kemarr Kunoth
Simon Kunoth
Julie Pungata
Jedda Purvis Kngwarrey
Amy Napangardi Nelsoni
Helen Kngwarray Kunoth
Rita Pula Loy and Jedda Purvis Kngwarrey
Day 2 – Building the Form
More armatures created; new artists joined after seeing previous work
The mould made on Day 1 was used to create a wax positive to demonstrate the moulding ability and encourage the artist to practice waxwork, but the artist chose to begin a new clay piece instead.
Artists showed increasing confidence and pushed their forms further
Many sculptures developed strong personalities connected to existing 2D work and wood carvings
Some experimentation with wax and air-dry clay
Two additional sculptures completed and moulded
Day 3 – Refinement & Detailing
Four more sculptures completed and moulded
Acrylic resin casts produced from Day 2 moulds
Dinny Kemarr Kunoth
Sam Jampijnpa Mpetyan Dixon
Sam Jampijnpa Mpetyan Dixon
Julie Pungata
Simon Kunoth
Amy Napangardi Nelsoni
Ready for Moulding "Cowboy"
Ready for moulding "Bush Doctor"
Day 4 – Finishing Touches, Review & Documentation
Two artists completed and painted their sculptures, producing works ready for exhibition.
Strong interest expressed in continuing to work with clay
We reviewed the different approaches used by artists and discussed ideas for future projects.
Photographs were taken for Art Centre documentation and future planning.
Sam Jampijnpa Mpetyan Dixon
Sam Jampijnpa Mpetyan Dixon
Dinny Kemarr Kunoth
Dinny Kemarr Kunoth
4. Outcomes
13 sculptures were created across the workshops
7 sculptures were moulded for casting in resin and potentially bronze
Noticeable improvement in armature building, clay handling, and understanding of form
Finished works showed clear individuality and cultural expression
Utopia Arts Centre indicated interest in future sculpture and materials-based development programs
Sam Jampijnpa Mpetyan Dixon “Bush Doctor”
Dinny Kemarr Kunoth “Cowboy”