The exhibition now also travels, with an international series of exhibitions at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia from 1 to 19 March 2012 and in the beautiful city of Aarhus in Denmark in June 2013. When it started the back in 1997 the event lasted just one day at Bondi Beach, and took 10 weeks to organise. Now there is a team of fifteen people and around 200 volunteers who organise this event and it takes considerably longer to arrange.
This two kilometre long walk featuring over 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world, is a beautiful outdoor activity with amazing views of some of Sydney's favourite beaches: Bondi and Tamarama. Some of the sculptures are integrated in the surroundings, and there is a possibility you might even overlook them. It can take between ten minutes up to eight days to install a sculpture, the installation process is just as unique as the sculpture. This year there is also an inside section, called Sculpture Inside, where you will find more sculptures and where some of the sculptures are displayed in miniature. And don’t forget to check out the titles of the sculptures, they will definitely put a smile on your face!
Hunter Valley artist Paul Selwood is the winner of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2011 and awarded with the prestigious Balnaves Foundation Sculpture Prize of $65,000
Sculpture by the Sea founder David Handley said of the decision "Keld Moseholm was awarded the main prize for his witty and masterful work. The judges were unanimous in their decision. The matter, however, was keenly debated as the outstanding standard of the exhibition resulted in an exceedingly long short list".
Iconic Annual Event
The founder and now Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley, was inspired by outdoor sculpture in a park in Klatovy, Northern Bohemia while he was living overseas in Prague. On his return home he was determined to create an Australian version, which has now become the iconic annual event.
In 2005 Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, was established as an annual event at Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia. The famous and amazing sunsets over the Indian Ocean only add to the stunning setting and create the most picturesque backdrop. Then in 2009, the first international Sculpture by the Sea exhibition was held in Aarhus, Denmark. Under the patronage of The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Denmark, the exhibition was instigated after the couple had visited the Bondi exhibition.
Each year the catalogue cover image is selected from the previous year’s collection. This year’s image is Bert Flugelman.
Sea Sculpture by Bus
Wherever you are coming from, think about leaving the car behind to visit Sculpture by the Sea by bus. Sydney Buses increase the number of buses from Bondi Junction to and from Tamarama Beach and Bondi Beach with buses leaving every 15 minutes. From Circular Quay (Stand E) catch the 333 or 380. Or from Bondi Junction catch the 361 to Tamarama or the 381 to Bondi Beach. For more information visit www.sydneybuses.info
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010 is on show from 3 November to 20 November. Visit the Sculpture by the Sea website for more information. If you can't make it to Bondi (or Sydney) - take a look at the Sculpture by the Sea facebook site for lots of fabulous images of this year's amazing exhibition.
Images courtesy of Sculpture by the Sea
Written by: Isabel Meijer
