For 18 days, between late October and early November, the Bondi-Coogee coastline in Sydney converts into the largest outdoor sculpture gallery in the world. Currently in its 19th year, Sculpture by the Sea is the brainchild of David Handley. He started with a lounge for an office, a handful of volunteers, and a single-day exhibition. Handley’s small venture was an instant hit. A panel chooses the best from 500-odd entries from artists across the globe. This year the exhibition had 107 works of art.
On any given day, the Bondi-Coogee stretch, a beautiful coastal walking trail that connects the two beaches that give it its name, offers dramatic views of turquoise waters, colourful rock formations, and plaques bearing aboriginal legends.
The annual exhibition, which concluded on November 8, adds to the allure of this gorgeous coastline, with sculptures greeting you along the way. Cranes are used to move the sculptures to chosen locations on the trail. Despite the elaborate planning involved, the beauty of Sculpture by the Sea is that it almost looks like the artwork is simply strewn en route.
Text by Kiran Mehta; images courtesy Sculpture by the Sea