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2008 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: Walsh Bay Sculpture Walk
By Stephen Bradley Curator, The Transfield Art Collection. In 1985 the historic Piers and Shore Buildings at Walsh Bay were saved from demolition by the Premier and Minister for the Arts, Neville Wran. He reserved Pier 4/5 for the arts and particularly the Sydney Theatre Company. Over the following twenty years Piers 4/5 and 2/3,…
2007 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: 2007 year of the surf lifesaver
By Ed Jaggard, Author of Between the Flags It is a truism that Australia is an island continent, surrounded by seas and oceans washing up on some of the world’s finest beaches. For more than a century many Australians and ever increasing numbers of tourists have enjoyed these summer playgrounds, knowing that their safety is…
2006 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: Icarus and Sculpture by the Sea
By David Handley Icarus flew well and his fearlessness grew. He began to think he was quite good at flying. What was this business about charting a middle path, avoiding getting too close to the sun or the sea? Why settle for mediocrity when he, Icarus, could soar? * Ten years of Sculpture by the…
2005 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club
By Bill Shires, President Tamarama is well known for its unique beauty and cosy atmosphere nestled quietly between Bondi and Bronte Beach, avoiding much of the traffic and the tourists that flock to the Sydney beaches each Summer. Tamarama attracts its own eclectic bunch of locals and tourists, which give it a wonderful ambience and…
2004 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: Sculpture and other health hazards
By Ron Robertson-Swann OAM Sculpture is alive and well and sculptors are making ambitious and wonderful works. But there are contemporary viruses going around that can make certain sculptures look a bit unwell, and can effect the viewers’ judgement about sculpture. One virus takes the form of topics for discussion on sculpture:- • “Breaking down…
2003 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: The Royal Aquarium and Wonderland City, Tamarama Beach
Tamarama Beach has often been in Sydney’s social and cultural spotlight. In 1887 a Royal Aquarium and Pleasure Grounds was opened on the beach. Commonly known as the Bondi Aquarium, Sydneysiders in their Victorian era finery would visit in their thousands to observe the marine life and enjoy the varied circus and Coney Island styled entertainment….
2002 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay – By the sea: A history of human engagement
By Dr Paul S.C. Taçon Head of the People and Place Research Centre, Australian Museum It was by the sea that they did it. Along the edges of great oceans, on the beach and in the water, human ancestors travelled on a quest to explore and conquer the world. By the water they met, shared…
2001 BONDI CATALOGUE ESSAY: The Aboriginal Rock Carving on the South Bondi Headland
By David Handley AM with research assistance by Elizabeth Stanton. Since the start of sculpture by the sea we have received numerous questions about the Aboriginal rock carving on the South side of the Mark’s Park headland. This short essay…
1999 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: An Essay on Public Sculpture by Michael Hedger
In only three years, Sculpture by the Sea has firmly established its place on the Sydney and Australian art calendars and has helped to reinvigorate interest in the most dramatic of visual arts forms. Finding exhibition spaces for sculpture has always been problematic so this annual exhibition means an excellent avenue for sculptors to display their…
1998 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: An Essay on Sculpture by Tom Bass
The idea behind the event of Sculpture by the Sea deserves to be supported by all those who see sculpture as a significant part of the life of our society. In the exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, sculpture is being seen in its rightful place. For so long, in Australia, sculpture has been relegated to…
1997 Bondi Exhibition Catalogue Essay: Sculpture by the Sea by Donna Lee Brien
Among the principles guiding the establishment of this exhibition has been an emphasis on inclusion. In this context, a broad definition of sculpture is employed, whereby a sculpture is taken to mean a work (of art) that in some way occupies, modifies, creates or defines three dimensional space. This definition embraces works of widely diverse…