After two years of cancellations, Sydney’s iconic Sculpture by the Sea exhibition will make a triumphant return this spring. Pre-covid times would see over half a million people attending the coveted event making it one of the most anticipated creative offerings of the year. With over 100 artworks dotted across Bondi to Tamarama, the outdoor exhibition is gearing up to delight Sydneysiders once again after two long years.
The popular exhibition sees the Bondi-Tamarama coastal walk lined up with stunning sculptures along the coastline. Now in it’s 24th year, the exhibition is pulling all the stops and putting up a show to remember. Many Sydneysiders over the years have enjoyed the free exhibition with long treks and walks along the Bondi to Tamarama coast with the staple event long being a fixture on the arts calendar in town.
While the full program and artist lineup is yet to drop, we can look forward to a few exhibition favourites returning.
Marina DeBris and Stephen King, recipients of the Helen Lempriere Scholarship will make a splash alongside Danish artist and granddaughter of Jørn Utzon, Naja Utzon Popov — the first recipient of the new $15,000 Friendship Society of Denmark, Australia and New Zealand Danish Artist Award.
Sculpture by the Sea began in 1997 as a one-day event and has since seen enormous success, becoming the world’s largest annual sculpture exhibition.
Thanks to the RISE grant, $250,000 are set to go towards the funding of artists in Sculpture by the Sea, thus ensuring that all artists make a minimum income of 4,500.
David Handley, Founding CEO & Artistic Director of Sculpture by the Sea, said in a statement: “It is great to be planning to stage the exhibition without the spectre of almost certain cancellation hanging over our heads. The excitement is building as the artists, our staff and everyone who supports us financially believe the exhibition will go ahead.”
Not only can visitors expect jaw-dropping artworks across the region, the exhibition also provides a remarkable platform and visibility to local and international artists. Sculpture by the Sea has also hosted other fantastic exhibitions including the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail — along 100km of the gorgeous Snowy Valleys Way, and Sculpture Rocks which opened to great applause last year. Take a peek at their official website for details.
Sculpture by the Sea is on from October 21-November 7.
(Images: Courtesy of Sculpture by the Sea)