Memorable Sculpture Festival – Gold Coast

SWELL Sculpture Festival at Currumbin Beach celebrated the unity of nature and art under a shining Sun.
September 18th 2010.

Spread wisely along the Currumbin Beach, the contemporary visual arts exhibition of sculptures, by artist from around Australia, is rapidly gaining huge popularity among Gold Coasters and tourists from all over the world.

This was my first visit and I can only thank my friend Olga for inviting me there. The frustration of being unable to find a parking place was a clear sign of the growing popularity of the SWELL Sculpture Festival that started seven years ago.

The impact of each unique sculpture integrated into the natural landscape is a quite powerful experience.  Nature seemed to like it too, with the Sun shining down and a friendly breeze from the blue Pacific Ocean seemingly inviting viewers to stroll along the beach from one sculpture to the next.

My favourite was #02 by John Dahlsen from NSW.

Photo by Gary Chigwidden

The name ‘Monumental Environmental Artwork’ is exactly what you would imagine of his successful saving of a huge stump of a camphor laurel tree that would otherwise have found its end in a bonfire.  Hearts go out to John Dahlsen for preserving the inherent beauty of real nature, and for spending two years bringing out the best artistic appeal. The saved stump of a so-called ever green camphor tree brings into consideration the one very powerful thought of saving not just a stump, but one existing healthy tree per man. With the earth’s population fast heading towards seven billion, it means we can save around seven billion trees if we just make that decision, voluntarily.

‘Swoop’, # 47 by Daniel Gill from Queensland

‘Swoop’, # 47 by Daniel Gill from Queensland, a sculpture of a mantra ray from my knowledge, has unmistaken warmth from the chosen sandstone material whilst the graceful spread of its big wings are so inviting to touch and hug.  By all means it should stay right there, forever, in order that we may continue to appreciate the gracefulness and beauty of the magnificent sea creatures.

‘Very delicate School’ by Richard Howie from Queensland was # 53 sculpture and kids just loved it.  It was very funny and touching to look at them going in and out and around it, in total amusement, trying to be careful and gentle with the little shiny school of fish.  It was also quite symbolic, as the children were unintentionally showing us how careful and gentle we can all be in order to preserve the delicate nature of the sea. This is another sculpture that definitely shouldn’t be removed from the Currumbin Beach.

‘Very delicate School’ by Richard Howie from Queensland

All 56 sculptures were unique and interesting.  The whole experience of social display that brought many viewers into that place of natural beauty, Currumbin Beach, is a great joint achievement by the organizers and artists. The feeling of joy united everyone into one big and friendly multicultural crowd displaying countless smiles and respectful politeness. They all celebrated the unity of nature and art under a shining Sun, and so did I and my friend Olga. Life is so beautiful!

My warmest regards,