Sculpture by the Sea unveiled in Perth

Since its inception in 2005, Sculpture by the Sea has evolved into one of Perth’s biggest and much-loved free-to-public outdoor exhibitions, with over 200,000 visitors now witnessing Cottesloe Beach’s transformation into a landscape of amazing artworks.

Similar outdoor exhibitions that go by the same name are put on only in Sydney (along infamous Bondi Beach) and Denmark (organised by the lovely Princess Mary, no less) suffice to say for a city to host a Sculpture by the Sea is something pretty special.

Now in its 11th year, Sculpture by the Sea was officially launched this morning along the shores and banks of Cottesloe Beach with media, members of the general public, and even some of the contributing artists in eager attendance.

There are 69 sculptures in total – 31 by West Australian artists, 17 from interstate, and 21 from overseas (including three from China and nine from Japan – “giving you an idea of where the world’s axis is leaning” as ABC Radio’s John McGlue put it this morning).

Highlights include the Czech Republic’s David Černŷ’s “giant babies” – massive structures of metalised fibreglass and steel that continue on with Perth’s current fascination of all things gigantic and artistic; Thailand’s Naidee Changmoh’s The Ascetic – a giant bronzed statue of a child “based on cartoon forms to express positive thinking”; WA’s Britt Mikkelsen’s Ocean Lace – best described (yes, by us) as a giant doily made of acrylic, polyurethane and steel; and local artist Brad Jackson’s Wanderers Conventus – a travelling family of alien-like bodies with giant spheres for heads.

Two WA artists won the Sculptor Scholarship Award: Norton Flavel’s Lucky Country whose shiny aesthetic ball carries on from last year’s giant goon bag, and Kim Perrie’s surreal Ashes To Ashes, where wood turns not only to charcoal but skilful sculpture.

Sculpture by the Sea runs from now until March 23. Naturally, the exhibition is free.  Antonino Tati

Photography by Antonino Tati except image below by Clyde Yee.