The mesmerising art exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe has graced the shoreline of Cottesloe Beach for its 19th year. The crashing waves and white sand creates a beautiful backdrop for the captivating sculptures.
If you visited the exhibition over the last few weeks, you would have been greeted by a crowd of statues ranging from Jason Hirst’s Kiss Me to more abstract pieces like Greg Johns’ Horizon Figures. Each sculpture an expression of art, showing the skill and creativity of the artists who created them.
The EY People’s Choice Prize
This year’s winner of the EY People’s Choice Prize was Bruno Catalano’s “Benoit.” The French artist’s sculpture, Benoit, is part of the series “Les Voyageurs” (The Travellers) and shows human figures with missing parts. The artist’s aim was to create a sense of displacement and longing for home and was inspired by Catalano’s own experience of growing up in Marseille — a port city that has welcomed immigrants from all over the world.
‘Benoit’ portrays a man with the middle of his body missing, walking towards an unknown destination, leaving behind his past and his identity.
EY’s Managing Partner Western Region, Fiona Drummond, explains “…‘Benoit’ is innovative, interactive, and introspective, and has resonated with the people of Perth and visitors from across Western Australia.”
The sculpture has been widely acclaimed for its originality and emotional power, capturing the universal experience of human migration and displacement. It creates a symbol of hope and resilience while reminding us that even when we leave something behind, we can still carry it with us in our hearts and mind.
Catalano said on receiving the EY People’s Choice Award, “I am very honoured to have won the EY People’s Choice Prize during this marvellous exhibition in Perth. I am very pleased that the Australian public has been touched by my art.”
The Kids Choice Prize
The winner of the Kids Choice Prize was West Australian Artist Deanne Neilson with the piece ‘Do You Realise??’. Made up of 50,000 recycled bottle lids, this six-meter-tall sculpture is inspired by the works of Japanese artist, Hokusai, and demonstrates Neilson’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness.
Her use of recycled bottle caps in the creation of the sculpture is a great example of how artists can make use of everyday materials to create meaningful pieces of art. By repurposing materials that might otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean, Neilson is making a statement about the importance of sustainability and environmental awareness. The use of bottle caps gives the sculpture a unique texture and dimensionality to her piece, creating a visual impact that draws viewers in.
“It means to me that the younger generation has enjoyed and appreciated my artwork. I believe that art has the power to bring people together, inspire, and ultimately change the world” Neilson commented.
In addition to being environmentally conscious, Neilson’s use of bottle caps also speaks to a broader social commentary about consumerism and waste. By highlighting the sheer quantity of bottle caps that are discarded each day in Australia — roughly 41,000 — she draws attention to the larger problem of waste in our society.
While the caps of Neilson’s sculpture are both visually striking and socially conscious, it makes her work a powerful statement on the importance of environmental and social responsibility.
The Founding CEO and Artistic Director of Sculptures by the Sea, David Handley, says “Bruno Catalano and Deanne Neilson’s very different sculptures have delighted visitors at this year’s exhibition.”
After three years of being impacted by covid, the clear waters and white sands of Cottesloe Beach have resulted in a flood of people visiting Sculpture by the Sea. It shows how much the people of Perth love exhibitions like Sculpture by the Sea and we’re looking forward to seeing what it brings next year.
Feature image credit: Supplied by Hero Images of Jason Hirst Kiss Me
