Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2015 (3)

Nov 23, 2015

3 min read

“Beyond the black stump”

Sydney November 2015 (14 photos)

The 19th annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Bondi has come and gone. This free public event, ran from 22 October to 8 November, and included 107 main exhibiting artists from 19 countries around the world. It was held along the 1.2km coastal walk between Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach. I went on the final days to take a look at the sculptures.

ASHES TO ASHES, by Kim Perrier.

Statement: A relationship between a tree and humans, where shared spirit is invoked as a mystical wonder and manifested as human nature, sharing a common identity with the tree and its skin.

Initially I walked past this sculpture thinking it was a hollowed out tree. It wasn’t until I came around the other side and got closer that I realised there was so much more to it. Absolutely fascinating.

…

“Before he grew up, Skippy liked to pack heat”

TROUBLED YOUTH, by Jimmy Rix.

Statement: As a continuation of the “Roo Shooter” series, this is a comical look at mothers’ dilemmas – even joeys can be a handful!

…

“Rolling tide”

BJF13, by Ben Fasham.

Statement: The artist continues his exploration of balance and curved forms, further experimenting with stainless steel and bronze.

…

“Twisting by the pool”

LISTEN TIME PASSES, by Barbara Licha.

Statement: The work brings different memories to viewers and allows them to reflect on the past, present and future.

I thought this was simply mesmerising.

…

“Memories; light the corners of my mind. Misty water-coloured memories of the way we were…”

MINDEN JO LESZ 1953 (ALL SHALL BE WELL), by Kathleen Berney.

Statement: From Budapest to Bondi. The work represents the artist, child of refugee boat people, on a slippery dip in this exact location in 1953. Childhood memories slide in and out of consciousness.

A trio of vignettes of the artist’s childhood in this exact spot, demonstrating the power of an old photograph to stimulate the memories and emotions. Sepia just seems so right here…

Memories; light the corners of my mindMisty water-coloured memories of the way we wereScattered pictures of the smiles we left behindSmiles we gave to one another for the way we were

Can it be that it was all so simple then?Or has time rewritten every line?And if we had the chance to do it all againJust tell me, would we? could we?

…Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were.

…

“It came from beneath the sea”

UNDULATION, by Benjamin Storch.

Statement: This work magnifies the connection between fluid motion and form in marine organisms.

…

“Well, there’s something you don’t see everyday…”

FLYING FISH, by Gillie and Marc Schattner.

Statement: Depicts a flying fish apparently being pulled down by a rope lasso, but at the same time being held aloft by the same rope, to symbolise the fate of the flying fish in the face of climate change.

This sculpture would rotate with changes in the direction of the wind.