For the past seven years Matt Pilkington has been the artist in residence at Backtrack and this September he will take part in the inaugural Walcha Sculpture Symposium.
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“I have been teaching skills in all mediums, especially welding scrap metal sculptures where the participants gain skills in welding and using power tools,” Mr Pilkington said.
“They turn the discarded objects into a treasured, unique item – sculpture – for someone to enjoy.”
While Mr Pilkington now lives in Armidale, he says he lived in many regional towns growing up.
“My father was a school principal, so we moved around a lot when I was a kid,” he said.
“My family is very creative, we all have our own talents in different fields.I was into the visual arts my parents took me to see at the Art Gallery of NSW. At school, I wasn’t that great at the other subjects, but I was good at art.”
After finishing high school, Mr Pilkington attended art school at the University of Western Sydney, School of Contemporary Arts.
“I graduated in 2000 and have been practising ever since,” he said.
“My preferred medium is mixed media and found objects – stuff that has history. Things that have done something and been somewhere and show the weathering of time.”
The Walcha Sculpture Symposium will task the artist to use wood.
“I’ll be using chainsaws and chisels rather than welding,” he said. “This is my first time taking part in a symposium. There will be two Backtrack boys helping me with the sculpture for the week. They’re excited to be a part of the event as am I.”
The Walcha Sculpture Symposium will take place from September 9 to 15.