Design and Art Australia Online

Sculptor Rae Bolotin was born in 1955 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and came to Australia in 1979.

Bolotin’s sculptures focus on the apple, which for her reflects childhood memories of apples piled high at market stalls. The apple is a familiar yet ambiguous emblem of 'forbidden fruit’ imbued with both powerful and personal meanings.

For many years Bolotin worked with concrete, however in 2005 she began to work with stainless steel and brass. In that year she began spending time in Beijing in the Dashanzi artist region where she developed the traditional technique of hand-beaten metal work into her well-known 'apple peel’ sculptures. Bolotin coats the stainless steel and brass with green and red automotive paint, which conjures images of the Republic of China as well as the apple’s natural succulence.

Bolotin has exhibited in China and extensively in Australia, including Sculpture by the Sea, the Wynne Prize, the University of Western Sydney Sculpture Award, Eden Gardens Sydney, Sculpture in the City (2002) and Sculpture in the Vines (2003 & 2004). In 2006 Bolotin won the Willoughby Art Prize and in 2007 she exhibited in the Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award in Victoria. Bolotin’s work is held in public and private collections, including Macquarie University and Artbank.

Writers:

Stella Downer

Date written:

2007

Last updated:

2011