Bondi 2020 Announcement

Posted: April 24, 2020 / Announced, News

Joel Adler, ‘Viewfinder’, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2020. Photo Henri Fanti.

Sculpture by the Sea is pleased to announce that the exhibition plans to return to Bondi this spring after an agreement was reached with Waverley Council to retain the exhibition for the next ten years.

The world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition plans to return to the 2km Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk from 22 October – 8 November, pending any public gathering restrictions remaining in place into late October with discussions around  contingency plans to postpone the event if the exhibition cannot open on 22 October.

In making the announcement, the Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley AM said, “This exhibition is about Hope. We hope to be able to stage the exhibition this spring. Like everyone, we hope life in Australia and the world returns, as much as possible, to normal as soon as possible. With many artists asking us if the exhibition is going ahead and wanting to make sculptures to exhibit we have hope for the future and are excited to be planning to stage the exhibition for many thousands of people to enjoy. In the meantime, we hope that everyone stays safe and well.”

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the license agreement is an important step forward in the future of the world-class sculpture event.
“Waverley Council will continue to monitor what impact COVID-19 measures in NSW will have on public events in the future, but for the meantime, we just want to congratulate Sculpture by the Sea for moving forward in this new chapter,” Mayor Masselos said. “Our Council has provided in-kind support for the event for the past 23 years, and we look forward to this year’s event in whatever exciting form it takes. Our iconic coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama Beach and Marks Park community headland park provided a stunning backdrop for so many years and we’d like to see this continue. I would like to congratulate Waverley Council officers for negotiating a license that works for both parties and gives artists from around the world the opportunity to continue to showcase their cutting-edge works.”

After ongoing discussions with Waverley Council for many months, both parties are thrilled to come to an agreement to see the exhibition return to its home in Bondi. Contrary to some speculation, there has been no financial inducement requested or offered to encourage the exhibition to remain at Bondi.

Waverley Council will widen the ridgeline in Marks Park to enable the installation of large-scale, awe-inspiring sculptures that make Sculpture by the Sea a unique and world-class exhibition, bringing demonstrable and significant cultural, artistic, tourism and economic benefits to the local and wider community.


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