The Crab gets claws on top Swell award

A 3M-WIDE crustacean perched atop Currumbin Rock was last night named winner of this year’s $15,000 Swell Sculpture Award.

Created using corten steel, galvanised bolts and stainless-steel cable, The Crab, by artist Joy Heylen, is one of 50 artworks on display along a 1km stretch of Currumbin Beach until September 17 as part of this year’s 15th annual Swell Sculpture Festival.

The 2017 Swell awards winners were announced last night at the festival’s official launch at Dust Temple, Currumbin.

Jacqueline Damon’s Intuitions received the $5000 Sculpture Award, Sean Williams’ The Huntress won the $1500 Emerging Artist Award and local artist Guy Cooper’s Migaloo’s Song won the $3000 Environmental Awareness Award.

A giant sculpture of a Humpback whale that weighs an estimated 560kg, Migaloo’s Song is also a large string instrument with piano wires that make music.

Mr Cooper said the work explored the harmonic structures and vibrational patterns that connect sound and music and the natural world.

“Humpback whales are described as ‘inveterate composers’ of songs that are ‘strikingly similar’ to human musical traditions, a kinship we share with these mammals and a shared language,” he said.

Exhibiting artists at this year’s Swell voted Mike Van Dam’s These Hands winner of the coveted $1000 Artist Peer Award.

Visitors to Swell can vote for their favourite sculptures in the $3000 People’s Choice Award, the $3000 Kids’ Choice Award and $1000 Smalls Gallery Award until 5pm on September 17.

Visit swellsculpture.com.au for details.