Peter Syndicas

Peter Syndicas b.1971
Sculptor

"I create sculptures that allow people to observe nature as art.

These sculptures are all based on delicate twig fragments that have been crafted by their surrounding environments - sharing a unique link with their origins.

I search specifically for twigs that portray abstract humanlike forms as it gives each sculpture a double life. On one hand they are magnified reproduction of fragile plant life, while at the same time they display these very expressive humanlike forms.

Nature is the artist here. I am simply helping to display its work".

Peter Syndicas 2014

Peter's sculptures are inspired from an obsession with fractals – the infinite patterns replicated throughout all forms of nature. As twigs enabled him to view these fractals from the widest perspective, they have become his primary theme. Selected twig forms are magnified in scale and immortalises in bronze, a contrast to their fragile nature.

Peter has had no institutional training as a sculptor. He innovated his techniques mainly through trial and error until he exhibited a sculpture publicly for the first time as a finalist in the 2005 Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize. Since then he was introduced to highly respected sculptor Silvio Apponyi, working alongside him in his studio. It has been under Apponyi that he has perfected new techniques in his handling of bronze as a medium. Peter has since been highly commended in the 2007 Waterhouse, and awarded Second Prize in the 2008 Waterhouse. He then had his first one man show at the Hill Smith Gallery in Adelaide in 2009.

Exhibitions

2015
'Still Life - SALA', Group Exhibition, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2014
"Evolution of Species", Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
SALA Open Studio
Waterhouse Natural History Prize, South Australian Museum

2013
"Roll Call" group Exhibition, Hill SMith Gallery, Adelaide
Burnside Village Sculpture Prize Exhibition

2012
Heysen Sculpture Biennial B6, "Homage to Nature", Hahndorf
Burnside Village Sculpture Prize Exhibition
Selected Works, Hill SMith Gallery, Adelaide
SALA Open Studio

2011
“Natives", Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
"Sculpt 11 Invitational", Fleuriueu Art Prize, Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa
“Sculpture for Sight” St. Marks College, Adelaide
“On Closer Inspection” SALA, Fisher Jeffries
SALA, Open Studio,

2010
“Beyond the Surface” Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide Hills
“How do we love thee?” National Wine Centre, Adelaide
SALA, Open Studio

2009
“Origin of Species” Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
SALA, Open Studio

2008
SALA, Open Studio 2007 - SALA, Open Studio

Awards
2014
Finalist Waterhouse Natural History Prize, South Australian Museum

2013
Finalist Burnside Village Sculpture Prize

2012
Winner, People's Choice Award, Heysen Sculpture Biennial
Finalist Burnside Village Sculpture Prize

2008
Second Prize,Waterhouse Natural History Prize, South Australian Museum

2007
Highly Commended,Waterhouse natural History Prize, South Australian Museum

2005
Finalist,Waterhouse Natural History Prize, South Australian Museum