Small slice: Herne Bay artist Christine Cathie with her work Sliced Torque

Sliced Torque is Herne Bay artist Christine Cathie’s entry into the inaugural Small Sculpture Competition on Waiheke Island this weekend.

Her work was chosen from 98 entries nationwide as a finalist in the competition.

The competition is a new addition to the annual annual Headland Sculpture on the Gulf outdoor exhibition, Waiheke’s largest event.

Christine says she was surprised and pleased to be told she was one of the 26 finalists.

She has only been sculpting for four years but already has an impressive list of awards and exhibitions.

Although her background is in graphic design, she

became interested in

working with lead crystal while doing a glass casting course at ArtStation in Ponsonby.

"I fell in love with it and it began to take up more and more of my time.

"It got to the stage where it took over really and became fulltime."

Christine’s pieces are made in a lengthy and intricate process that involves carving a wax replica of the work and then building a solid mould around it.

The wax is then melted out from inside the mould and the glass poured in at an extremely high heat.

"It’s a difficult way to make a living," says Christine. "You have to work pretty hard."

Waiheke Community Art Gallery director Linda Chalmers, who organised the awards, says although small sculpture was always a part of the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition, there was never an award element.

"We thought there was an opportunity there," she says.

Linda says she was "really delighted" with the number and high calibre of entries.

She says the $3000 prize will boost the winners’ profile as well as their bank account.

"To win an award is always something that an artist really values."

The winner of the Sea Link Small Sculpture prize will be announced on Saturday, followed by a three-week exhibition of the finalists work at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery.