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No. 18Finalist · Noosa Art Prize 2026

In the Surrender

Julie Field

Eumundi, QLD

Horsehair raku ceramics40 × 43 × 14 cm$2,275

Artist statement

In the Surrender emerged from an unexpected act of destruction. Created as a ceramic equine sculpture, the work began with a clear vision and an emotional investment in bringing this horse to life. In the kiln it exploded, leaving behind fragments of what I had intended to create. Faced with the choice to abandon the work or begin again, I chose surrender—not as giving up, but as letting go of control. I gathered the broken pieces and allowed the damage to become part of the creative process. Through reconstruction and reimagining, something unexpected emerged. The fractured surfaces, altered form and visible remnants of the original sculpture became a new visual language. The horse, often associated with strength, freedom and spirit, now carries a different story: one of resilience, transformation and acceptance. In the Surrender is a reminder that sometimes the most compelling beauty emerges when we stop trying to control the outcome.