World’s Best Sculptors: GAMRATH, SORIĆ, MANDL, FRANCIS, BOUCHARD, AFSHAR, YINGLEI, KUZNETCOV, BAJER, LEIMKUELLER, ASHBOURNE, COURT & CARRILLO/ 2024 WORLD ART AWARDS

Thom Bierdz
6 min readJun 30, 2024

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Artists from 61 countries competed in the 2024 WORLD ART AWARDS where 20 of the most revered galleries in the world were sent online images to score in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital and photography. The 300+ winning works, 1st to 6th Place (and ties) in all 50 categories, have been revealed in this column one category at a time.

The WINNERS in CATEGORY 49. SCULPTURE — REPRESENTATIONAL
are in USA, CROATIA, SWEDEN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, AZERBAIJAN, CHINA, AUSTRIA, WALES, UK & MEXICO.

BIO OF 1ST PLACE WINNER: Jason B. Gamrath

World renowned glass artist celebrated for his stunning and larger-than-life botanical sculptures. Born in Seattle, Washington in 1986, Gamrath developed an early fascination with glassblowing, an art form deeply rooted in the artistic traditions of the Pacific Northwest.

Gamrath’s journey into the world of glass art began at the young age of 15, when he enrolled in a class at Pratt Fine Arts. This experience ignited a lifelong passion, leading him to further his education at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School, founded by legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly. At Pilchuck, Gamrath honed his skills under the tutelage of master glassblowers, refining his techniques and developing his unique artistic voice.

His sculptures often feature flowers, plants, and orchids, meticulously crafted to capture the delicate beauty of nature while magnifying their forms to immense proportions. This combination of realism and fantastical size has garnered Gamrath international acclaim. His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and botanical gardens worldwide, including many highly prestigious venues such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Phipps Conservatory, Seattle Botanical Garden, McKee Botanical Garden and many other high profile institutions around the world.

Gamrath’s glass sculptures stand as a testament to the power of art to transform our perception of the natural world. Through his innovative techniques and profound appreciation for botanical beauty, he has created a body of work that is both visually stunning and deeply meaningful. Gamrath’s art not only celebrates the intricate details of nature but also inspires viewers to see the world around them with new eyes. In his hands, glass becomes a medium through which the majesty of nature is magnified, inviting us all to pause and marvel at the wonders of the natural world.

ART COLLECTORS — CONTACT THE WINNERS HERE: CATEGORY 49. SCULPTURE — REPRESENTATIONAL

1st Place JASON GAMRATH USA seattleglasscreation@hotmail.com “Amaria” 72x72” Handblown glass.

2nd Place — Tie ZVONIMIR SORIĆ CROATIA zvonemotogp@gmail.com “Colosseum Pula, Croatia” 80x60cm Wood mosaic on wood board.

2nd Place — Tie PETER MANDL SWEDEN www.petermandl.com “Galene” 140x65x30 cm Bronze.

3rd Place — Tie ADAM FRANCIS AUSTRALIA decorcrafts123@gmail.com “Steel Polygonal Doberman” 100cmx60cm Stainless steel sheets.

3rd Place — Tie SYLVIE BOUCHARD CANADA vivivib@hotmail.com “The Road King Rider” 36x40" Acrylic paint, 3D mixed texture.

4th Place — Tie NATIQ JAMAL AFSHAR AZERBAIJAN natik1208@mail.ru “Kingdom” 280x400x90cm Alabaster, plastic, wood and metal.

4th Place — Tie YAN YINGLEI CHINA 510042025@qq.com “Meritorious Service” 40x35x50cm FRP sculpture.

5th Place — Tie MAKSIM KUZNETCOV AUSTRALIA https://maksimkuznetcov.com/ “Male Foot — 1 (Gradient)” 39x13x13cm Acrylic polymer, acrylic, varnish, stone base.

5th Place — Tie MARIETTA BAJER USA https://www.mariettasart.com “Fragile Beauty” 24x36” Board, mirror, resin, crystals, acrylic paint, metallic iridescent fluid, gold leaf, wire.

5th Place — Tie TATIANA LEIMKUELLER AUSTRIA https://mysculptureanddrawings.tilda.ws/portfolio “Trojan War. Homer And Athena” 60x80x59cm Casting plastic, paint.

6th Place — Tie TOM ASHBOURNE CANADA www.tomashbourne.com 12x24x8" “Banff” Antique plow heads, paint, board.

6th Place — Tie DEBBIE COURT WALES/ UK www.debbiecourt.com “Art Deco Diver” 15cm Papier mache, coloured powders.

6th Place — Tie MIGUEL CARRILLO CARRILLO MEXICO https://www.conejoblancotech.com/copy-of-wixarika-yarn-art “El Jaguar De Fuego Y La Vision (The Jaguar Of Fire And Vision)” 15.5x16x15.5” Glass beaded sculpture on beeswax and hand carved copal wood.

In 2024, WORLD ART AWARDS had submissions from these 61 countries: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, UK, Ukraine, USA, Viet Nam, Wales, Zambia.

The World Art Awards 20 Best Galleries & Museums for 2024 who were asked to score art: (in alphabetical order by country):

Best in Australia: Bungendore Wood Works Gallery

Best in Chile: Isabel Aninat Gallery

Best in Columbia: Beatriz Esguerra Art

Best in Czech Republic: Knupp Gallery

Best in Georgia: UGallery

Best in Israel: Corridor Contemporary

Best in Japan: Nanzuka Underground

Best in Latvia: Galerija Romas Darzs

Best in Malaysia: Gallery des Artistes / Gallery@Tropicana

Best in Morocco: Comptoir des Mines Galerie

Best in Myanmar: New Treasure Art Gallery

Best in Portugal: Underdogs

Best in Taiwan: 1839 Contemporary Gallery

Best in United Kingdom: Miart Gallery London

Best in USA / Alabama: Alabama Contemporary Art Center

Best in USA / Arizona: Exposures International Gallery Of Fine Art

Best in USA / Iowa: Moberg Gallery

Best in USA / Nebraska: Kiechel Fine Art

Best in USA / South Dakota: South Dakota Art Museum

Best in USA / Utah: Ogden Contemporary Arts

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Thom Bierdz

One of Medium’s TOP ART CONTRIBUTORS, award-winning author, actor, film-maker, painter. 12 books: 6 on art. President of WAA & AAA & ACCA.