It’s a crazy world at the moment with pandemics, wars, floods and the sudden passing of not one but two sporting legends, which makes it the perfect time to take a break from reality and hang out amongst the stunning sculptures at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.

For the 18th year Cottesloe Beach has morphed into a massive outdoor art gallery for Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe. This year the beach is covered with works from over 70 artists. Thirty two Western Australian sculptors will showcase their talent, along with artists from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. The exhibition also includes work by artists from 12 countries including Japan, the Czech Republic, France, Singapore, India, Mexico, Norway and Taiwan. For a brief video of some of the sculptures on the beach go to the initial Sculptures video on The Ponder Room TV on Youtube.

Exhibition Launch

Launched on Friday March 4, 2022 the morning started with a fascinating Welcome to Country by Olman Wally. For a brief video of this plus other images from the media launch go to the Launch video on The Ponder Room TV.

This was followed by a poignant moment when the audience remembered Russell Woolf, a great supporter and frequent MC of the event, along with Jack Bendat AM a long time supporter through the Bendat Family Foundation WA. This year the event is also dedicated to Anni Ma, Nick Horn, Hossein Valamanesh.

After speeches from a range of important dignitaries including Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Helen Sadler the Deputy Mayor of Cottesloe, Celia Hammond MP and Minderoo Foundation CEO Andrew Hagger, it was time to award the prizes. But not before a few words from the seemingly unflappable event Founding CEO and Artistic Director David Handley AM, who reminded us of all the people working behind the scenes to put the event together.

“It is very exciting to be back at Cottesloe to present the exhibition for the people of Perth and its visitors. Already artists have flown in from NSW and Victoria, while some with family connections have flown in from New York and Korea. Congratulations and thank you to the artists for hanging in there to create their works during these uncertain times. There is a real buzz about town, on the beach and with the journalists we speak to that the exhibition has been able to proceed.” said Handley.

AWARD WINNERS

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe Artist Award. Japanese artists Osamu andn Masako Ohnishi were awarded the major award of $30,000 for their work ‘USAGI Shelter’, an inviting, interactive work in the shape of a rabbit’s head. Osamu and Masako Ohnishi said, “We are surprised, delighted and amazed by this award. Our artwork is in Australia, far away from Japan. Just to have it exhibited at Cottesloe beach is an amazing thing. And if our artwork on the beach brings smiles to the faces of the people who see it, then we are happy. We think it is important that the world is full of smiles. Thank you very much for this wonderful award!”

Western Australian Sculptor Scholarship. Western Australian-born artists Stephanie De Biasi and Carolina Arsenii were awarded the prestigious $15,000 scholarship for ‘Fossil’, a woven, pod-like structure made from recycled cat food cans that highlight the immense waste produced from everyday packaging. It was fascinating to chat to the girls and find out one of them is allergic to cats!

Carolina Arsenii and Stephanie De Biasi said, “We are honoured to receive this award, who would have thought our decision to use recycled cat food cans could lead to such a significant project. Thanks to Sculpture by the Sea for making this exhibition possible, to Ian Hicks and Susie Grant for their generous sponsorship of this award, and to our technician. We are excited about how the award can support our practices and already have many ideas for future works. We are thrilled to continue our collaborative relationship and to continuing to use recycled materials in the future.”

For a brief video message from the Winners go to The Ponder Room TV.

Andrea Stretton Memorial Invitation

Perth based Collective VOXLAB, led by founding director Jon Denaro, won the opportunity to exhibit in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi later this year with $5,000 towards the costs of exhibiting. VOXLAB is exhibiting the striking infinity-shaped artwork, ‘Prickle’. The piece represents the infinity provided through upcycling waste from car panels that would otherwise have been landfill. This year Jon Denaro joins the Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe Decade Club for artists who have exhibited ten times.

For a brief video message from them go to the Winners video on The Ponder Room TV.

Bendat Family Foundation WA Invited Artist Program, is a major invitational subsidy to attract and support the best local artists to exhibit at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe. Perth-based artists Norton Flavel, Fiona Gavino and Richie Kuhaupt have been announced as this year’s recipients of the Program. Each recipient will receive $10,000 to help cover the costs of making and transporting their sculptures. 

The Alcoa Aluminium Sculpture Award, goes to highly regarded Perth-based artist Tim MacFarlane Reid, for his 3m-wide aluminium work titled ‘Invitation’. The highly south-after $10,000 award highlights Alcoa’s continued commitment to supporting artists in Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe that use aluminium in striking an unique ways. 

The People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice prizes will be awarded at the end of the exhibition so make sure you get down to the beach and get voting.

RISE Fund

Thanks to the Australian Government’s RIS (Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand) Fund this year each artist will receive $4,500. This is a fantastic initiative as it will go some way to help the artists recoup their material and transport costs.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Access and Inclusion Program. Don’t forget the special program for people who wouldn’t normally be able to access event like this. Check out the website for the Access and Inclusion Program which includes Tactile Tour dates, AUSLAN events and Community Inclusion Tours. The Beach Access Days are March 15, 16, 17 with no bookings required.

Aged Care Program. There is also a really interesting Aged Care Program. Check out the website for details.

Schools Program. As usual there is a schools program however it is a little different this year due to Covid. Check out the website for details.

The event runs until March 21. For more information go to Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe.