Spirit of the Land returns to Lockhart for the 17th time this October. Photo: SOTL.
A town of less than three and a half thousand people may not sound like the ideal location for one of the country’s most celebrated art festivals, but over the past 17 years, Lockhart has kick-started the careers of regional artists from around the state.
The two-day festival returns on 12 and 13 October and will feature the renowned National Farm Art Sculpture Awards, which showcases works that artists make by transforming recycled farm materials into stunning sculptures that capture the essence of rural life.
During the festival the streets of Lockhart will be filled with some of the most impressive sculptures imaginable, including entries by five-time winner, Stuart Taylor.
“Winning this festival for the first time really kick-started my career as an artist,” Mr Taylor said.
“It attracts so many people to the town of Lockhart, that it’s now known for its sculptures. People from everywhere make an effort to drive through the town purely to see some of the things regional artists have made.”
Mr Taylor has been competing in the festival for over a decade and has seen both it and the town grow in popularity and prestige.
Stuart Taylor’s Cod sculpture was one of the most popular among festivalgoers in 2022. Photo: Matt Beaver.
“It originally began during a period of drought,” he said.
“It allowed farmers to participate in something and use their rusted metal during a time of difficulties. It has become an event that many look forward to and it just continues to grow.
“Every year the festival becomes more and more competitive and the sculptures become more and more impressive.
“I frequently have conversations with other artists who got their start in Lockhart. For me personally, I was in Queensland for an event and people knew who I was because of a sculpture I entered in the Spirit of the Land Festival. It really is a small world.”
Mr Taylor’s Bonnie Dog sculpture is seen as a memorial for his beloved dog that has since passed. Photo: Matt Beaver.
Mr Taylor said several of his winning sculptures had become permanent installations on Lockhart’s main street with Lockhart Shire Council and organisers of the festival purchasing a number of his works.
“There’s a dog there which I made, which was based on my dog who has now died. Every time I visit Lockhart, it’s like visiting a memorial for my dog,” he said.
“The other is a horse, which is one of the first things I ever made. It’s cool to see that there because I’ve made so many things since then, I’ve moved on and got a lot better. So to go back and see that with some of the old bits of equipment I used that are now permanently immortalised is a pretty awesome feeling.”
Festival committee president, Marea Urquhart, highlighted the festival’s humble beginnings and its continued importance to farmers and communities today.
“From the start, the festival has celebrated the resilience of those who work and live on the land. It has grown into a symbol of strength, creativity, and community spirit,” she said.
“The Spirit of the Land Festival continues to foster dialogue around sustainability and rural heritage, providing a platform for artists to showcase their talents while promoting pride in the region’s agricultural roots.”
The Spirit of the Land Festival officially kicks off on 12 October and will feature artworks across the town.
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