2012 Sculpture by the Sea

This year marked the 8th "Sculptures by the sea" exhibition in Cottesloe beach, which opened on 1st March and closed today 19th March.

I love going to see the artworks set out in a relaxed outdoor environment, with people sunbathing next to them, families wandering around the sand from piece to piece, explaining the artworks to the kids, school excursions... and of course I enjoy seeing the different types of materials used for the sculptures, from bronze to wool, and recycled materials, the variety is fascinating.

Caliban - this scary 2mt high aluminium statue overlooks the beach

This particular free event was expected to attract over 200,000 visitors to visit its 70 artworks made by local, interstate and international artists. I wonder if more people visit this type of exhibition being outdoors than if it was held in a museum?

This year´s winner was Western Australia´s artist Paul Caporn, who won a $15,000 Sculptor scholarship award, that helps local artists further their careers, with his "yellow dump truck" made from rubber mats used in children´s playgrounds.

The winning entry - Yellow Dump Truck - by Paul Caporn                                                                                                                                                                                    

His truck with the accompanying statement "overloading a system eventually leads to its failure" is a metaphor on the thriving WA mining industry. "It´s a plaything for the kids, but they carry the burden of the future" - said Caporn in an interview.
It was certainly the children´s favourite judging by the amount of kids who wanted to climb on it, when I was there.

This year a most unusual thing happened, a few days ago, for the first time in the events history, a statue was vandalized and stolen, but luckily a few days later the young culprit was found. (This must have been a prank and he might have had help, as the bronze statue is heavy, and he wouldn´t be able to carry it on his own, but Police are investigating). "Childhood Morning", by Chen Wenling, who last year won the People´s choice award with another huge Red statue, was the targeted statue. The theft has exposed the risk of not insuring the artworks with an estimated value of $2,5million.

Childhood Morning - by Chen Wenling

Vehicle - by Jean-Marc Rivalland

Ship of Fools - by Deborah Halpern,
One of my favourites covered with mosaics

Convention

Just another conversation  - Robin Yakinthou

Thought Process

Oh my God - by Lucy Vader

Another one of my favourites, a granite piece "Oushi-zokei"  by Keizo Ushio

Convolution

Cottesloe beach with Indiana Tea House

Most pieces are for sale with prices ranging from $1300 to $145,000!!
Some artists will now have their work exhibited in "Bondi´s 2012 Sculpture by the sea" in Sydney, to be held from 18th October to 4th Nov this year, and then they will head to Denmark in June 2013.
Looking forward to visiting it again next year as it´s a lovely day out on the beach.
Hope you enjoyed this visit too. 
Which was your favourite piece of art?