SWELL OFFERINGS FOR ‘BEACHY’ ART LOVERS
LIFE’S about to be just swell for those who appreciate both art and the beach.
The annual Swell Sculpture Festival begins at Currumbin Beach tomorrow until September 23.
Sculptures by 45 Australian and international artists will line the sand for the 10-day exhibition, which lures almost 300,000 visitors each year.
They include Embryo, a dramatic 6m high, three-ring metal creation by Toowoomba’s Joy Heylen in collaboration with four other talented artists – Jacqueline Damon, Luke Mallie, Agata Mouasher and Ronda Sharp.
“All the artists are from different cultures and the rings are almost like portals through time,” said South African-born Ms Heylen, who won last year’s major, $15,000 prize at Swell with a giant crab sculpture perched atop Currumbin Alley rock.
It took Ms Heylen and husband Patrick about 300400 hours to build the Embryo piece from materials including copper mesh and woven steel.
As well as the spectacular seaside backdrop, she said the festival gave visitors the chance to get up close and personal with art.
“We’ve just finished the install and have already had about 20 people taking photos and kids sitting on the sculpture,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful setting and it’s great to sit back and watch people interacting with your work.”