Drew McDonald, ‘Sharnana’, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2024. Photo Charlotte Curd
Says McDonald, “The illogical nature of ‘Sharnana’ – a shark emerging from a peeled banana – mirrors the chaotic nature of our existence. But ‘Sharnana’ isn’t about dread and despair; it’s about embracing the surreal humour of life’s contradictions and finding joy in the everyday.
“I’m thrilled and deeply grateful for the joy and engagement ‘Sharnana’ has inspired in adults and children, showing just how much we all love a bit of playful absurdity in our lives no matter how old we are.”
The Kids’ Choice Prize is donated by Rebel Penfold Russell OAM and voted by the children visiting the exhibition. Rebel was inspired 25 years ago to donate to establish the Kids’ Choice Prize by seeing how differently children respond to the artworks.
McDonald is an emerging artist who, after studying for the past five years (Visual Arts UTAS 2019 and QCA 2020), realised his passion for sculpture and is now unveiling himself to the art world. He uses his inspiration from Dada, Surrealism and Pop Art Movements to create absurd amalgamations of everyday iconography and nautical creatures. This is his first time exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi or, indeed, anywhere publicly.
David Handley, Founding CEO and Artistic Director said: “Thank you to all of the artists and the hundreds of thousands of people who have visited this year’s exhibition. Congratulations to Drew for this wonderfully absurd sculpture that reminds us how wonderfully absurd it is to live on a rock floating in space watching the whales go by.”
Fiona Crosbie, Chair, Allens said: “It is a pleasure to have partnered once again with Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi for the 22nd Allens People’s Choice Award. Our congratulations to Drew McDonald whose sculpture ‘Sharnana’ captivated the many Sydneysiders who came to experience the sculptures this year”.
Every year, the recipients of the Allens People’s Choice Award and the Kids’ Choice Prize receive a beautifully crafted exhibition trophy gifted by long-supporting sponsor Dinosaur Designs.
Shen Lieyi’s sculpture, ‘Tracing’, was the exhibiting artists’ favourite, receiving the Sculpture by the Sea Exhibiting Artists Pick. Shen Lieyi was also the recipient of the $100,000 Aqualand Sculpture Award, announced at the launch of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi on 18 October.
Julian Pereira & David Da Costa Enes were announced as the recipients of the Sculpture by the Sea Staff Pick for ‘The Thinker’. The Waverley Council Grounds Staff Pick was Gleb Dusavitskiy’s ‘Love Me Tender’.