Sculpture By The Sea once again delights throngs of Sydneysiders who can combine a cultural experience with a wonderful spring coastal walk along the headlands from Bondi to Tamarama. Sculpture By The Sea is a free exhibiton displaying 114 sculptures this year amongst the beauty of the natural environment. It runs from 29 October until 15 November 2009.
Bondi Sculpture Walk an Iconic NSW Sculpture Exhibition
Now in its thirteenth year, the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition can be viewed on the two kilometre ocean walk from the tourist hot-spot Bondi Beach, along the cliffs to Tamarama just north of Bronte Beach. Sculptures are installed on the clifftops, beaches, parks and rocky shores along the coast using the natural environment as a backdrop.
In observing the skill and beauty of artistic expression in these pieces, crafted in mediums ranging from stone, wood, metals, resins, ceramics, synthetics, natural fibres and plant materials, appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds is also heightened. The scope and variety of sculptures displayed ensures visitors will find the exhibition a memorable experience.
Sculpture Inside at Bondi and Tamarama
The Bondi Pavilion Gallery and Tamarama Surf Lifesaving Club host Sculpture Inside, an indoors exhibition of smaller sculptures run in conjunction with the outdoor Sculpture By The Sea. Entry is free to both the indoor and outdoor exhibitions but donations are accepted.
Sculpture By The Sea Major Prize Award Sydney 2009
The inaugural Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize, at $60,000, is the most generous sculpture prize on offer in New South Wales. The Foundation will award the prize yearly for the next ten years with the winning sculpture to be acquired and placed as a permanent public exhibit. Local councils can make submissions to the Foundation to suggest suitable locations for placement in their area.
The 2009 winner is 91 year old May Barrie, an Australian who has been sculpting for over sixty years. Her winning work is ‘Time and Tide Granite Monolith II’ which May began at the age of 77 and finished in 1996. May still works at her sculpture several days a week.
Kinetic Sculptures Interact With the Wind at Sculpture By The Sea
Several examples of kinetic sculptures use the force of the ever-present sea breeze to come alive on the Marks Park hilltop at Tamarama. The $10,000 Transfield Kinetic Artists Prize this year was awarded to Tim Prentice from the USA for his work ‘Easel Windframes’. Another unique and popular work is 'Morpheus' by New Zealander Phil Price.
Sculptures to Intrigue Children on the Bondi to Tamarama Sculpture Walk
The sculpture walk is a great family activity. A guidebook written specifically for children is available to help youngsters appreciate art. Sculptures popular with children include:
- Giant eyes installed in the rock face take advantage of the natural features in the stone to represent a huge face
- Animal sculptures including a larger-than-life horse and rider made of cane
- Kinetic sculptures, ever-changing depending on wind speed and direction.
- The installation of numerous large colourful flags by Argentinian Alejandro Popato.
- Hundreds of unique sandy shoes in a trail from the clifftop down to the water
- Interactive cubby house adorned with childrens toys inside and out
Where to Find Sculpture By The Sea
Sculpture By The Sea is displayed along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk between Tamarama and Bondi Beach in Sydney NSW. The exhibition begins at Notts Avenue Bondi, passing through Hunter Park, Marks Park, Tamarama Beach and concludes at Marine Drive, Tamarama Park. On weekends a shuttle bus operates to take visitors who have walked the length of the exhibition back to the other end.
Sculpture By The Sea Exhibitions at Other Venues
- Sculpture By The Sea in Cottesloe Beach, Perth Western Australia. The sixth annual exhibition runs from 4 to 23 March 2010.
- Sculpture By The Sea on Aarhus Bay, Denmark. The exhibition was launched in June 2008 under patronage from The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark, who had previously enjoyed the Bondi Sculptures By The Sea.
Sharon Ketelaar - Sharon Ketelaar is a Registered Nurse, travel enthusiast and avid reader who holds a Diploma in Editing and Publishing.
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