About
Sollai Cartwright is a contemporary sculptor renowned for his marble and bronze sculptures, bridging ancient traditions with contemporary expression. Based in countryside Australia, he studied carving in Pietrasanta, Italy, under Italy’s Artigiani and returns annually to collect marble from its quarries.
Inspired by nature and influenced by masters such as Moore, Brancusi, Marini, Picasso, and Matisse, Sollai's work explores form and light. He views carving as a spiritual pursuit, stating, “I carve because it takes me away from ego and connects me to the universe and its beauty in a productive way.” His sculptures result from a dialogue with the marble, resulting in organic and evocative forms.
Sollai has exhibited widely, including a solo show with Artvisory in Melbourne (2024), High Performance Art Gallery in London (2023), Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe and Bondi (2019), and Australia House in London (2018). His work is held in prominent collections worldwide, including the late Neilma Gantner collection.
Exhibitions
2024
Solo exhibition with Artvisory, Figure and Form, South Yarra, Melbourne, 20 April – 10 May
2023
Exhibition with High Performance Art Gallery London
2022
Lorne Sculpture Biennale, 12 March – 3 April
2021
High Performance Art Gallery London, Intuitive Form, Solo Exhibition, 30 August – 27 September
Artvisory Gallery Melbourne, Birds and Muses, Solo Exhibition, 22 May – 12 June
Catalogue of works can be viewed here
2020
Habour Sculpture, Balmain, Sydney
2019
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, Sydney
Harvey Gallery, MARMO! Solo Exhibition, Sydney
Open Studio, Nunan – Cartwright atelier, Correns, Provence
Hill – Smith Gallery, Exhibition, Adelaide
Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, Perth
2018
Australia House, Australian High Commission, Centenary Exhibition, London
Art Central showing with MARS Gallery, Hong Kong
New Works, Solo Exhibition, Prenzlauer Studio, Berlin
Hardman Galerie, Berlin, Germany
CheckPoint Ilgen Art Salon, Berlin
Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee, Rosby Vineyard
2017
CheckPoint Ilgen, Curated by Fré and Jacqueline Ilgen, Berlin
Atelierfest, Weisensee, Berlin
2016
Placed in Bei Wu Sculpture Park, Wesenberg, Germany
Touch This Exhibition, Melbourne
New Works, Exhibition, MARS Gallery, Melbourne
2015
Lot 19, Spring Art Fair, Castlemaine – Awarded Prize for Sculpture
Group Exhibition, Castlemaine State Festival
2014
Private Exhibition with Sandra Walters Art Consultancy, Hong Kong
Group Exhibition, Nock Art Foundation, Hong Kong
Group Exhibition, La Rondine Gallery, Tuscany, Italy
2013
Hong Kong Art Festival, Group Exhibition, ZZHK Gallery, Hong Kong
Women’s Day Exhibition, Tuscany, Italy
2012
La Rondine Gallery Group Exhibition, Hong Kong
Commissions Private
Private Garden, ‘The Vine’, NSW, Australia
Private Garden, ‘Reclining Woman’, Melbourne, Australia
Private Garden, ‘Fish’, Bermagui, Australia
Private Collection, ‘The Elias Series’, Mexico City, Mexico
Private Collection, ‘The Hunt’ and ‘Growth’, Melbourne
Private Collection, ‘ Dancing Figure’, Amsterdam, Holland
Private Garden, ‘Leonida’, Tuscany, Italy
Private Garden, ‘Bush Spirit’ and Curragwong, Mullumbimby
Commissions Public and Corporate
‘Ula’, Bei Wu Sculpture Park, Wesenberg, Germany
The Metropolis, ‘Canoe’, Melbourne City, Australia
Artist Residences
Basket Range Adelaide Hills 2019
Bei Wu Residence Artist Wesenberg, Germany, 2016
Cill Rialaig Art Project, Kerry, Ireland 2014
Mullumbimby, Australia, Resident artist, 2013
Montreal, Canada, Jatsura Lewis Studio, 2013