The Illawarra’s artistic community is in mourning following the peaceful passing of renowned stone sculptor May Barrie at the age of 96.
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To anyone familiar with Australian sculpture, Barrie was a bit of a legend. Her creative career spanned more than seven decades and her works are counted among numerous private and public collections across the country.
Recognition, however, was a long time coming for Barrie, who famously won the coveted Sculpture by the Sea prize in 2009 at the age of 91 with her 3m Moruya granite work Time and Tide Granite Monolith II.
The rock was a comment on the transience of everything, how time erodes even the strongest granite eventually to dust.
Despite having had both hips, both knees and an elbow replaced during her lifetime, Barrie continued chipping, slicing and smoothing hard rock for her sculptures well into her 90s.
‘‘That she’s been so dedicated to her work is extraordinary,’’ daughter Tori De Mestre said.
Against the odds, while raising a large family and working on the family’s Calderwood property, Callemondah, Barrie forged a successful artistic career and went on to share her skills with many students.
‘‘She has a great following of people who have been coming out, bringing their children out, bringing their grandchildren out,’’ Ms De Mestre said.
‘‘She’s not a very outgoing public person but she loves people to come here and share what she has and I think that she’s got a really broad range of friends and acquaintances and she’s very loyal to them, and they’re very loyal to her.
‘‘I’m sure her spirit is here in the garden and in the house, with the stone. There’s lots of memories.’’
Barrie is survived by her brother John Barrie, children Barrie, Julian, Jason, Tori and Julie, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family, friends, supporters and patrons are invited to attend a memorial celebration at Callemondah at midday on February 7.