Sculpture by the Sea

Dream Stone (2012) photo by Howard Jones

If a single, collective passion defines Sydneysiders it is probably their devotion to Free Outdoor Art.

Sydney Festival opening night, Vivid, Festival of the Winds, Shakespeare by the Sea, symphonies in the Domain and noodles in Hyde Park (yes, noodles are art, stay with me here). The chance to see the products of exceptional creative imaginations built into our beautiful landscape to create a whole experience will always bring people out in their thousands. The annual Sculpture by the Sea, meandering along the cliff walk from Tamarama to Bondi, is among the most beloved of these events, because it captures everything that is best about the coastal side of Sydney. Sea air and inspiration, just sitting there waiting for you to wander by. The art is there to be shared by all, but the moment you have with it will be completely your own.

This year there are 106 sculptures on display, with work by many new artists. Australian artists always feature, but this is a truly international event, with work by people from 14 different countries. David Handley, the founder of the unique exhibition, says that Sculptures by the Sea brings something new each time it comes around: “Every year people say ‘What can be different?’, but this year we have over 100 creative minds playing with this extraordinary landscape.”

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your viewing:

– Take public transport, ride your bike, or if absolutely necessary plan pleasant cafe stops to break up your long walk back to your car.

– Go early in the morning or on a weekday. It takes a strong constitution to brave the weekend crowds, and a morning trip gives you the bonus of that amazing light.

– Don’t have a schedule. Either allow yourself more time than you need, or make a plan that you don’t have to look at every single thing. You want to be able to pause, breathe, and spend time with a piece that captures you.

– Enjoy the humanity. You are not going to get this space to yourself, so make the crowds work for you. People watch. See how great little kids are when they are close to art for the first time. Feel the positive energy coming from people who are just there to absorb the beauty around them.

– Take photos. Everybody is a master photographer with a backdrop like this.

– Wear sunscreen on that little patch under your nose that it’s so easy to miss, because the light will reflect up off the water, and that’s a nasty place to burn.

– Check out the Sculpture by the Sea website to enrich your visit with information about the artists, the works and additional events, including Artist Talks, Education Packs and accessibility projects like the Tactile Tours.

Dates: 24 October – 10 November

Times: Always

Cost: Free (Don’t you love Sydney?)

Meeting 1 (2011) Photo by Paul Green