Wendy Black

Wendy Black began to study sculpture with Tom in 1997. Tom became her mentor, and Wendy had the privilege of assisting Tom in his last commission. She is now a senior teacher at the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School and teaches regular open workshops on Wednesdays. She has also taught the life study, soapstone carving and corporate workshops. From 2014 – 2021 she curated the Clara Street Gallery, a small space within the Tom Bass Studio School.

In recent years she has experimented with creating animals with wire and twine, which have been exhibited at The North Sydney Art Prize and won her the Peoples’ Choice at the Sculpture at Killalea 2016 and Sculpture in the Garden 2014. However, portraiture has always been a fascination for her; she created her first self-portrait bust as a teenager at Exeter Art School. Portraiture has now become an important part of her practice, and she has completed both public and private commissions, including Nick Politis Chair of the Sydney Roosters Rugby league team, Margaret Mittelheuser Business Faculty, University of Queensland and a number of Australian Cricket Captains for the Cootamundra Council.

From 2019 – 2024 Wendy curated Sculpture in the Vineyards, Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival, under the directorship of Susan Leith Millar, this festival grew to be the largest rural art prize in Australia.

In 2016 Wendy was part of a small team of 3, who conceived and presented the inaugural Tom Bass Prize for Figurative Sculpture. A biannual award that has featured emerging and recognised sculptors from across Australia.

Wendy exhibits her sculptures regularly in group exhibitions and sculpture prizes across New South Wales.

As a collaborator on ongoing projects with the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School, Wendy brings understanding and experience when engaging with the needs of the student, client and community.

www.wendyblacksculpture.com