Sculpture by the Sea 2019

Sculpture by the Sea 2019
Sculpture by the Sea is on again in Sydney. Set against the striking backdrop of the coastal walk between Tamarama Beach and Bondi, the annual sculpture exhibition converts the most die-hard critics of modern art into fans. I admit I am not a fan of modern sculpture but Sculpture by the Sea sets out to make world class art accessible and enjoyable to the masses (for masses - read 'me') and it succeeds. It is hard not to be impressed.

Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi is the world's largest free sculpture exhibition, with 500,000 visitors expected during the 18 days in which it is open.  In 2019 there are 111 sculptures exhibited by 140 artists who come from 18 countries.




Sculpture by the Sea 2019


Kore Awakening Sculpture by the Sea
Kore that Awakening by Egor Zigura - Price $20,000

When is it?

The 2019 exhibition runs from 24 October to 10 November.

Where is it?

Sculpture by the Sea is exhibited along the 2 km coastal path between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach in Sydney.  Most of the sculptures are clustered in and around Marks Park, with another cluster at Tamarama Beach but don't miss the others scattered along the coastal path. Some of these have the most impressive sites.

Download a map from the official website here

Is it free?

Yes, but catalogues cost $12 and it is well worth having one. You can buy them at various locations including Marks Park and Tamarama Beach. As well as a short biography of each artist and price of the sculpture (just in case you are in the market for a bit of art) there is a statement describing the artist's interpretation of the work.

How do you get there?

Click here for information on public transport. Parking at Bondi is difficult at the best of times and awful during Sculpture by the Sea - just don't do it. The best place to park is around Bronte Beach which is 500 metres south of Tamarama Beach. There is some pay parking in Calga Place and street parking in and around Macpherson St. This adds another 250 metres or so and there is a steep uphill walk on your way back.  We always manage to park somehow, but on weekends it isn't easy.

Is the exhibition accessible to the disabled?

Mark's Park is wheelchair accessible but there are quite a lot of stairs on the rest of the path. For more information see the official website here.


Sculpture by the Sea Sydney
Grace by Tim MacFarlane Reid - Price $24,000

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi
Thru by Katja Grinling - Price $12,500
Sculpture by the Sea 2019
Life Support by Karl Meyer - Price $78,000

Sculpture by the Sea
Night Moves by Christabel Wigley - Price $30,000. I loved the way the beach goers are in the background. Sadly, as we were leaving a rope barrier was being erected around the sculpture. It ruined the effect somewhat.

Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney Australia
More Than It Seems by Geraldo Zamproni - Price $3,000

Sculpture by the Sea
Empires Dismantled by Richard Byrnes - Price $8,900

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi
The Statute of Mad Liberty by Wang Kaifang - Price on application


And my personal favourite - for just plain weird!

David and I thought this was a damaged light pole. We even discussed how it must have been hit quite hard, perhaps by a truck delivering one of the larger sculptures. David joked that it might actually be a sculpture. I said no. Then he discovered it in the catalogue.  What do you think?

Sculpture by the Sea
Lay Down and Shine by Kristof Kintera - Price on application.

If you get a chance to visit Sculpture by the Sea this year, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Unlike some past years I don't think there was a single, stand out, best sculpture. Can anyone forget the melting ice-cream truck from a few years ago?

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Bondi to Tamarama forms part of a longer walk from Bondi to Coogee

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20 comments:

  1. Looking forward to checking it out tomorrow. I heard there is a bit of an eastern European theme this year to celebrate the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Did you notice any of the 10 themed pieces?

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    1. Yes we did. There are 10 sculptures from Czech and Slovak sculptors in honour of the 1989 Velvet Revolution's 30th anniversary.

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  2. Oh, that's a great exhibit. If I'd be close I would absolutely check it out!
    #WeekendWanderlust

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    1. It is on every year. You will just have to visit Sydney one day!

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  3. Like you, I'm not a fan of modern sculpture. But something happens when they put it by the sea and I suddenly enjoy it much more. I'd really love to check this out and hope to when I next visit my daughter next.

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    1. I agree - the thing which makes Sculpture by the Sea special is its location. Without the spectacular background it would not be the same.

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  4. This looks great (though I agree, I would have thought that the pole was an accident and not an exhibit!). I really enjoy outdoor sculpture exhibitions. Some wonderful pieces here. #WeekendWanderlust

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    1. David and I had a great laugh at ourselves when we realised our mistake about the light pole.

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  5. We love finding public art at the beach - since it combines two things we really enjoy. But turning the seaside into an open air gallery is great! Looks like a great event - hopefully, we'll be able to catch in one year.

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    1. It is has been going for more than two decades so I can't see it ending anytime soon. There is talk of a change of location next year to Manly but I'll be surprised if that happens.

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  6. I love exhibitions like this and I wish I could afford a few of them. "Lay Down and Shine" is interesting, but not one I'd consider for home!

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    1. I have seen a few knock-off copies by the side of the road over the years - lol!

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  7. This would add to the Sydney's lure for me. I love the Empress Dismantled and More than it Seems!

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    1. She has a mate but she looked better in my photo so I just posted her.

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  8. I would love to see the exhibit, well maybe other than the light pole which simply seems odd to me. Like you I am very fond of the Mad Liberty piece. Not sure I will be buying any of them. Gulp!

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    1. I don't think I would have to buy the light pole. A bit of a nudge and the rickety light pole outside our front gate would be a carbon copy.

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  9. Saved this to my Australia Pinterest board. Several years ago, we did a Hop On Hop Off Sydney bus tour and decided to get off at the Bondi Beach stop and walk to the Coogee Beach stop. We just happened to be there when Sculpture by the Sea was on. I don't think we realized it was a temporary thing. We thought it was really cool. That coastal path walk is really nice at any time with or without the sculpture.

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    1. The coastal path is fabulous. One of our sons lived in Coogee for many years and walking the path was something we did regularly when we visited. I recall you saying your son also lived in Coogee for a while.

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  10. Another vite for the melting icecream truck here. And the giant welcome mat, on the beach, pointing out to sea.
    Hope you guys are recovered after your accident. 💐💐💐

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    1. It has been a bit of a journey but yes we have recovered. Thanks.

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