Best one so far! This annual exhibition has had more ups then downs in its 19 year history and it always satisfies those who appreciate sculpture as an artform. This year is a decided UP as it's impossible to find a flaw, much less a fault, in any of the gallery exhibits. The outdoor presentations by tertiary art students is always a mixed bag but this year it is better then usual.

Geoffrey Bartlett from Victoria fills the front gallery with fascinating works that provide excellent viewing. Their strange yet organic shapes, in a variety of metals and often mounted on timber supports, demand the viewer walk the full circuit to enjoy seeing the composition from every viewpoint. Then they invite tactile inspection of the smooth warmth of the surfaces. Each work can inspire a different concept at each engagement, which takes the spectator so much further then expected.

Joanne Currie (Nalingu), Laurie Nilson and Walala Tjapaltigiri from Queensland brighten up the second gallery. Currie and Nilson's works are colourful and well constructed while Tingari Field #8 by Tjapaltigiri & Campfire Group is a beautifully balanced composition of powder coated steel.

The involved efforts by Alexander Hayes and R.M.Gomboc from W.A. in the third gallery are much appreciated. Hayes mixed media works on the floor are inspired by bore shafts while those on the walls reflect aspects of the Meekathara region. Hayes provides an interesting  integration of natural and manufactured materials that give a glistening effect to the works. Gomboc's series of Balance also glistens. Thankfully these four large copper and stainless steel water feature walls (minus the water) ignore leaping fish and water nymph in site. Instead they are formed of clean lines and smooth surfaces giving them a modern, minimalist look. The maquettes too are on display and provide interesting inspection.

Works by Jian Jin Jun, Wang Jian Guo, Xia Yang, Xiou Min, Xu Yun Xin and Zhou Jia Zhung from the College of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, China fill the back gallery with wonder. As artists in residence at the Gomboc Gallery, Wang, Xia and Xu created their works in the Gomboc workshop/foundry. There is a fascinating dichotomy in the works by Wang as he places delicately decorated ancient bronze vessels within large chunky timber circles. Meanwhile, Jian Jin Jun's charming little unique state bronze figures delight with their flowing postures.

Around the grounds some very interesting and intriguing works by second and third year students at Edith Cowan University and Curtain University of Technology make wandering about well worth the effort. I was disappointed by the poor standard of work by students Midland College of TAFE although they are only first year efforts. Perhaps Midland should consider third year students in the future. It is also a shame that Central Perth College of TAFE aren't participating this year, one hopes their sculpture department isn't lacking. The opportunity for students to interact with each other and visiting artists from abroad is one that should not be ignored.