OUTDOOR EXHIBITION: SCULPTURE BY THE SEA

BY TRACEY LIEN

In a gallery environment, it is unlikely that many of the artworks at Sculpture by the Sea would draw any attention. On their own, they do not possess the ability to draw large crowds or pique the interest of non-art devotees. But scatter them along the coast from Bondi to Tamarama and we have a different story.

They become anomalies in the beachy coastal environment and suddenly people are curious. They stop and point out a hand-modelled slug crawling from a drainpipe. They take a photo and ponder why and how an artist has managed to produce a pair of metal wings that move so naturally in the breeze. They become engaged with art without intimidation or fear of pretentiousness, and that is the beauty of Sculpture by the Sea.

For the most part, every year over the past twelve years has seen similar artworks presented in similar ways. There are always the sculptures that confuse people, ones that kids fall in love with, and the ones that simply make you laugh. But it’s the picturesque setting that truly completes the experience, and if you walk away feeling dissatisfied by the man-made art, you will at least be blown away by the masterpiece that mother nature carved into Sydney’s coast.

Sculpture by the Sea
Until November 2
Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk
8399 0233 or www.sculpturebythesea.com