What’s on in Sydney New South Wales – 15th Anniversary of Sculpture by the Sea

Don’t miss Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi’s 15th Anniversary. Until the 20th of November, make sure you take in the breathtaking views of Bondi and take advantage of these wonderful outdoor sculptures along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk.

Since it began the exhibition has captured the imagination of the people of Sydney, who have turned it into the world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition. Beginning in 1997, and produced by volunteers working out of the founder’s lounge room for a total budget of $11, 500, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi started as a one-day exhibition showcasing the works of 64?sculptors. 15 years on the 18-day event exhibits over 100 sculptures by artists from across Australia and the world, and over half a million visitors flock to Bondi to see the show.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary, four of Australia’s most esteemed artists will be exhibiting in the 2011 exhibition: Ron Robertson-Swann OAM, Bert Flugelman OAM, Anne Ferguson and Ken Unsworth AM. Whilst all four artists have exhibited in Sculpture by the Sea at least once? since it began in 1997, this year will mark the first time that all four have exhibited together at the popular outdoor show. International highlights include Sir Anthony Caro OM, CBE, who is widely regarded as one of the most important sculptors in the world and leading Chinese sculptors, Chen Wen Ling and Wang Shugang.
“It’s been a wonderful journey creating and growing Sculpture by the Sea but it’s also been extremely hard to keep the show afloat,” says Founding Director David Handley. “We keep doing it because so many people enjoy” the show and it has added a lot to the opportunities for sculptors in Australia. I’m looking forward to seeing the coast transformed again!”

Showing at Sculpture by the Sea is the work of 61 New South Wales sculptors, 24 interstate artists hailing from Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory, and 25 international artists from Japan, India, Denmark, Germany, China, South Korea, New Zealand, the US and England.

In conjunction with the 15th anniversary of Scultpure by the Sea,the book Sculpture by the Sea: The First Fifteen Years 1997-2011, has been released. The beautiful?coffee table book, available from the Bondi site, chronicles the growth of the exhibition from its inception and includes stunning photography of the sculptures that have made Sculpture by the Sea so adored by many.