Image: Harrie Fasher (NSW), ‘Unveiling the Edges of the Sky’, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2026. Photo: Charlotte Curd
Harrie Fasher from Portland, NSW was named as the recipient of the $70,000 Aqualand Sculpture Award for her artwork Unveiling the Edges of the Sky, a large-scale handmade figurative and abstract sculpture made of steel and bronze, standing 6 metres tall and 5 metres long. This is Harrie Fasher’s sixth time exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, she previously received the major award at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.
Harrie Fasher said: “Women make courageous work; I’d like to dedicate this prize to the women of this world – to the artists, the women who work tirelessly to bring this show to life and women who continue to keep the world turning. I’m honoured to work alongside a magical team, it was a community effort to bring this sculpture to life and I’m humbled by the trust and support my studio engenders.”
Aqualand Group Managing Director, Jin Lin, said: “Sculpture by the Sea brings something truly special and unique to Sydney. It creates a connection between art, our natural landscape and the community. Aqualand believes that a great city is shaped by more than its buildings. It’s shaped by the experiences, creativity and culture that make people feel connected to the place they call home. We’re proud to continue supporting artists through our Aqualand Sculpture Award and congratulate this year’s winner on their achievement.”
David Handley, Founding CEO and Artistic Director said: “Thank you to the people of Sydney for making Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi what it is. Without the public’s enthusiasm the artists would not make such ambitious sculptures, and it is the public response that has inspired the philanthropic donors, corporate sponsors, donors and NSW government to get behind the exhibition. Congratulations to Harrie Fasher on receiving the Aqualand Sculpture Award, and thank you to all of the artists.”
Four times during the exhibition Stephanie Quirk’s artwork Love will be created in the sky above Bondi Beach by a skywriter. The artwork is Sculpture by the Sea’s response to the world at this time and in particular to the tragedy of the Bondi massacre on 14 December last year. Stephanie Quirk says of her artwork, “This work makes the interior; immaterial world appear and takes it into public space. It’s an offering, a remembering that love is in our nature; love is the question, and love is the answer. We are all under this sky together, this is our state of belonging.”
Love is scheduled to be created for the first time during the exhibition launch this Friday morning, weather permitting. Further iterations are planned for each of the three Saturdays of the exhibition.
Each year, Sculpture by the Sea provides funding to support the artists, highlights this year include:
The 2026 edition of Sculpture by the Sea features 100 artworks by artists from across Australia and around the world, including Japan, India, China, New Zealand, Slovakia and South Africa. Esteemed Japanese artist Keizo Ushio will celebrate his 50th Sculpture by the Sea, having exhibited at Bondi, Cottesloe Beach in Perth and the former Denmark exhibitions. Joining Keizo is Chen Wenling, one of China’s most internationally recognised sculptors. Koichi Ishino joins the double decade club, celebrating his 20th Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi exhibition. Archibald Prize Winner and last years’ Bondi exhibition iShares Peoples’ Choice Award recipient Tim Storrier AM returns for the second year in a row.
Over 450,000 people are expected to visit over the next 18 days. This year’s exhibition features artworks by artists from 14 countries, and 30 artists who are exhibiting at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi for the first time.