Sculpture by the Sea opens for 20th year

Sculpture by the Sea has collaborated with Tourism WA to launch a new Aboriginal Artistic Program, coinciding with the 20^th anniversary of the free outdoor art exhibition launched today.

Sculpture by the Sea will run for 18 days until March 18 and is expected to attract more than 250,000 local, interstate and international visitors to Cottesloe.

This year will see sculptures from more than 70 artists across 14 countries displayed at the beach.

Noongar artist Sharyn Egan has been revealed as the Tourism WA Invited Aboriginal Artist and is set to deliver a series of arts workshops for the public and for school groups as part of the Aboriginal Artistic Program.

The workshops would involve Ms Egan teaching traditional weaving techniques to participants to create the woven fronds for her Balga tree sculptures.

Ms Egan also worked with Guildford Grammar School students to create the first Balga trees leading up to the launch of Sculpture by the Sea.

She said the new Tourism WA program has created great opportunity for collaboration.

“This is a really nice opportunity to work with young Indigenous students and Nyoongar elders to create an artwork that welcomes members of the wider community to participate in the creation of the sculpture which will be enjoyed during the day and as the sun sets over Wadjemup,” Ms Egan said.

This year’s sculpture is called Balga Boola – Bigsmob Balga and marks Ms Egan’s sixth year displaying her work at the event.

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the state government was committed to supporting Indigenous communities and individuals engaged with the tourism and arts sectors.

“Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the world’s oldest living culture by engaging with the artists,” said Ms Saffioti.

“We want Western Australia to be recognised as Australia’s premier Aboriginal tourism destination and showcasing WA’s unique Aboriginal culture and art through events like Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe helps the tourism sector celebrate, engage and honour Aboriginal heritage.”

Sculpture by the Sea founding chief executive and artistic director David Handley said it was wonderful to involve Sharyn Egan in Sculpture by the Sea and to provide visitors with the opportunity to work with the artist.

“This is a great new initiative of Tourism Western Australia and enables Sharyn to create a major work which will be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors with images being shared all around the world,” Mr Handley said.

English sculptor Sean Henry has been selected as Tourism WA Invited International Artist for 2024 and would be exhibiting for the first time in Western Australia at Sculpture by the Sea.

Seated Man by Sean Henry, 2011. Photo: Richard Watson

Alcoa Aluminium Award

Sculpture by the Sea founding sponsor Alcoa Australia has announced Perth artist Denise Pepper as the winner of its Alcoa Aluminium Award.

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the annual prize valued at $5,000, with Alcoa acting vice president operations Tanya Simmonds saying the mining company was proud to continue its support of Sculpture by the Sea and to recognise the use of aluminium in art.

“Aluminium is already vital to our everyday lives and will play an even bigger role going forward as the world moves to renewables,” Ms Simmonds said.

“It is a key component in building products, packaging, smart phones, electric vehicles, new energy generation including solar panels, and energy storage.

“As many artists involved in Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe are showing, aluminium can also be used in some very creative ways.

“We are thrilled to continue our support for the 20^th year and to recognise Denise Pepper for her incredible work.”

Alcoa Aluminium Award winner Denise Pepper at Cottesloe Beach with her sculpture Women Wear Trousers.

Ms Pepper won the Alcoa Aluminium Award for her Women Wear Trousers sculpture, with 2024 marking her 10^th year entering Sculpture by the Sea.

She said she was drawn to using aluminium as a primary material within her art practice.

“The lightweight nature of the metal allows me to construct substantial artworks applying detailed designs and inlays without losing any strength, durability and longevity,” Ms Pepper said.

“I consider this work to be a tribute for women sculptors, ensuring the equality and respect shown to women artists is visible.”

Over its 20 year history, Sculpture by the Sea has exhibited 1,298 sculptures by 592 artists from 44 countries.

In 2024, the event’s National Artistic Advisory Committee invited sculptors from Australia, Japan, China, England, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, USA, Ukraine and more.

You can read more about the 20^th anniversary of Sculpture by the Sea in next month’s edition of Business News, out April 15.