SANDY CREATIONS THE STUFF OF FAIRYTALES
SAND sculptors have spent the weekend sweltering in the hot sun to fashion 150 tonnes of sand into magnificent fairytale sculptures for the public’s viewing pleasure.
Surfers Paradise foreshore was buzzing with spectators watching the artists yesterday carve characters into metres high chunks of sand for the Australian Sand Sculpting Championships.
Melbourne’s Julian Briones, 36, was competing for the second time and he chose to make a lifelike animal-sized The Tortoise and the Hare piece.
“It’s the least bloody of the fairytales. No kids being led into the forest, no one’s being eaten alive, no witches trying to steal anything,” he said.
Mr Briones has been a toy manufacturer for years, creating small intricate models and boardgames.
But yesterday after 23 hours of sculpting he was a little sceptical about whether he would take out the top spot.
“When I look at the other guys and how clean they work, I don’t have a hope in hell,” he said.
“I’ve been using my hands instead of using sharp tools. It’s a furry animal, I can get a nice velvety look.”
Jino Van Bruinessen’s recreation of The Frog Prince won the competition.
Peter Papamanolis came in second with the Three Little Pigs and Meg Murray followed with Puss in Boots.
The free family event Sand Safari Arts festival has become one of Surfers Paradise Alliance’s most popular attractions, with more than 280,000 people attending annually.
The event is held from February 14 to March 1.