Wellbeing
Published on October 4, 2018
Comments 45

In my next life, I’m coming back as a sculptor, & here’s why

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#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

The little seaside town 10 minutes down the road from me just hosted its 3rd ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ event. It was simply wonderful, and began with sandy shoes scattered in the grass- hands up who hates sand in the house or bed after a walk on the beach? There were dozens of pairs, of all different types of shoes, re-purposed from the local op shops.

The Spring weather was glorious, and it was lovely to just stroll around the parks and break wall, marvelling at the local creativity and talent. I was in such a relaxed daze though that I barely registered any artists’ names, so can’t give credit where it’s due; my apologies.

Made with old car parts #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Made with old car parts #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Made with old car parts #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

That big old kangaroo had a good story though: a social worker told the artist she advised angry young boys in her care to take up a kangaroo stance, and send their fury down their tails into the ground behind them (an Indigenous strategy).

My favourite aspect was the emphasis on recycled and found materials being re-purposed; the weaving with discarded nets or fishing line took my breath away (I can barely sew on a button).

Made from found nets and fishing lines #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Made from found nets and fishing lines #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Made from found nets and fishing lines #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Made from found nets and fishing lines #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

There were many pieces I didn’t take photos of, including a giant geometric bamboo installation you could walk inside, but this whimsical line of swimming costumes blowing gently in the breeze was my favourite. Plus that view hey?

The wire swimming costumes were my fav #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
The wire swimming costumes were my fav #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

Some sculptures were more esoteric or political than literal, and I’m always fascinated at the rationale behind artists’ work; feral cats are a huge problem here in Australia, and while I’m a domestic cat lover, I certainly appreciated these cutout shapes of our native animals, covered in real feral cat fur:

Native animal sculpture covered in feral cat fur #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Native animal sculpture covered in feral cat fur #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Native animal sculpture covered in feral cat fur #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

There was a mob of these chicken wire wallabies, but I only captured two; the twist in the bodies really brings them alive for me:

boneAndsilver blog- sculpture

They look like they’re about to jump away don’t they? #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

The sizes of artworks varied greatly, and this dingo (obviously made by the same artist as the kangaroo, with old motorcycle parts) was taller than a horse:

boneAndsilver blog- sculpture

#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

Our strained relationship with the environment, plus the future of our entire species on this planet, were constant themes, and it IS hard nowadays as an artist to not reflect on this challenge constantly:

#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
#sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

All these sculptures were ‘fish traps’, reminding the viewer that we are on a one-way path to big trouble if we don’t change our ways… my household stopped eating tuna a long time ago, once ’18’ realised that his younger half-brothers may not actually get to eat ANY tuna once they grow up, as all stocks will have disappeared at the current rate of consumption.

And then more beautiful weaving, from giant sails, swaying in the wind beside the river, to tiny baskets, embedded in a wooden shelter in the park:

Woven found fishing line #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Woven found fishing line- detail #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity
Almost hidden away, like bats or bird nests #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

It was a wonderful outing, with families, couples, and friends strolling around, enjoying the creative display in a delightful natural setting, rather than an art gallery. We could also gaze at the Spring sky, plus the rolling ocean and tidal river- who could ask for more?

I hope wherever you are, you make time to walk in Nature on your weekend, and perhaps find a sculpture park to enjoy? If  we do get another chance at life after this one, I’m determined to come back as a sculptor (if I have any say in the matter anyway!)

Which one was your favourite? Here’s mine again, with found plastic & fishing line as embroidery:

The wire swimming costumes were my fav #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

The wire swimming costumes were my fav #sculpture #Australia #art #creativity

 

In gratitude for visual arts, Spring, and fresh beachside air, G xO 

 

45 Comments

    • bone&silver says

      You would have really enjoyed it I’m sure, and yes, the wallabies were my next fav- there was another dozen of them in so many good shapes and poses

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    • bone&silver says

      Yes, the dingo was really good, and the artist’s statement was that we should look at it eye to eye, and remember our mutual ancient histories. Thanks Neil, G

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  5. lesleyconnor says

    I’m always in awe at the talent of these artists. We have a similar exhibition in nearby Bermagui each year. I loved the sandy shoes – something I can identify with all too well.

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  10. RhapsodyBoheme says

    Wow I can’t blame you. How wonderful, I would have spent the entire there marveling in the creativity and beauty. What great weather you had on top of it. Thank you for posting so many pictures with it. I love them all, but the Dingo was marvelous as could be. Xo

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  13. Unleashing the Cougar says

    What a stunning event! I absolutely love them all! This is the best sculpture event I have seen – so much more interesting that those we have in my district made of granite, marble and wood. The creativity is just superb. So many favourites but the wire wallabies, the bathing suits and the cluster of ‘baby’ baskets with the parents are the ones I loved best!

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  17. spicejac says

    We have the The Biennale of Australian Art on here at Ballarat – it’s amazing the creativity of folk who recycle and reuse to make art. I loved these – thank you for sharing them with us.

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  20. victoria says

    love the sculptures. Can you tell me where the sculpture by the sea is? this doesn’t look like the Sydney event. I would be interesting in finding out more about the wire swimming costumes
    thanks so much

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    • bone&silver says

      Hi Victoria, it was in Brunswick Heads NSW last year- you could try the Visitors Centre for a contact for festival- I’ve no idea sorry! Glad you loved them, me too, and thanks for commenting 😊

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