Sydney - Sculpture by the Sea 2012

Date of Exploration : 22 Oct 2012

Swathes of Pacific waves arriving with froth and foam along Bondi Beach like a constantly moving painting framed by scenic coastal ridges and cliffs... art both natural and manmade, couldn't have found a better place to convene.

I am delighted that my Sydney trip coincided with the 16th annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition that ran from 18 October to 4 November 2012. The free-to-public outdoor art exhibition brought together sculptures and installations by more than 100 local and international artists, temporarily transforming a stretch of the Eastern Sydneyian coastline into a huge gallery that juxtaposes the restless creativity of Mother Nature with the fascinating imagination of humankind.

Join me on a photo tour through this blog post as we come face-to-face with some of the sculptural pieces I encountered during the exhibition against an ever-changing backdrop of sun, sea and clouds.



The gregarious Pacific Ocean waves at Bondi Beach are magnetic to watch, yet scary at the same time.

Bondi Icebergs (right), the only licensed Winter Swimming Club in the world.

Fresh waves constantly crash into Bondi Icebergs' saltwater pool. The pool is open to the public usage for a fee. Will definitely take a dip if I get to visit Sydney again.

Pano view of Bondi Beach from a viewing gallery on Bondi Icebergs.

I wonder if any marine life gets accidentally deposited into the pool with the high waves.

Passing through Bondi Icebergs led me to a path, which is the beginning of the Sculpture of the Sea coastal trail from Bondi in the direction of Tamarama Beach.

Top Left : Cubes. Top Right : Eridanus. 
Bottom Left : Paper Boats. Bottom Right : The Chilly.

A trinity of artforms... Natural stone sculptures by Gaia, Sculpture by the Sea by Man, and human 'sculptures' by God.

Left : The Commodification of Imagination. Right : Midden.

The undulating sea-carved rocks became plinths and stages for the artists' creativity to take shape.

Weight Pulls Me Down, Strength Pulls Me Up.

Knot Standing.

It Was an Accident... i 2012.

Where Do the Children Play?

Top Left : Where Do the Children Play? Top Right : Mother Nature's work of art.
Bottom Left : Cascade. Bottom Right : A gecko decor.

We Are More Similar Than We Are Different.

The winds were crazy at the hill top! It was so strong, it was difficult to walk and breathe because as soon as I exhale, my breath is pushed back into my nostrils by the wind. This is one of my favourite sculptures, Mirador.

Inside the holey igloo.

Left : Seas Nest. Right : Warrior.

The Optimist.

The Optimist overlooking Trace - Sphere - Gate.

Oushi Zokei 2012 Twice Twist Bands.

Pano view of sculptures on a hill-top park.

Barrel Roll.

Left : Upside Down Again. Right : Suburban Monument (Ruin).

Finding Alternatives (3 Elements) 2011.

Left : Stationary Shape. Right : Invasive Colonisation.



Xing.

Top Left : How Close We Are 2011. Top Right : Regenerate.
Bottom Left : Capital Tension. Bottom Right : Matryoshka.

Ambrace - Sentinel Series.

Dedicated to Handel 2012.

Left : In Search of Contemporary Slavery Documents. Right : Gregarious.

No Return.

Left : Merging - Emerging figure 2011. Right : No Return.

- Done -

Left : Bridge of Sighs (for b). Right : I Am So Sorry.

Left : Anaxi 2012. Right :  Intercut Head Hand and Figure.

Moonfire lm #11, #12, #13, #14, #15.

View TM.

I didn't manage to finish the whole Sculpture by the Sea trail as the rain came in. The changing of the weather was so artful, I stood rooted at this spot and watched as the storm clouds drifted towards shore.

The sunny weather was betrayed by a wintry chill on my day of visit. Thinking that it was going to be hot, I was dressed in a light windbreaker, berms and slippers. Grave choice. Almost as soon as I began my Sculpture by the Sea excursion, the awful cold numbed my fingers and toes. And being caught in the rain later was like bathing popsicles in ice cubes.

Although my aim of coming to Bondi wasn't for the exhibition, I'm glad I checked it out and that became one of the memorable highlights of my trip. As lighting direction and weather condition change throughout the day, photographing the sculptures can yield different results so for photography enthusiasts, this is must-click event!

Related Post : Art Making Waves at Bondi Beach