Sculpture by the Sea in the Sapphire Coast

If you’re a fan of Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea, then you should venture further south and check out Sculpture on the Edge. The annual exhibition is held at Bermagui, on the Sapphire Coast of NSW, with the main feature being large sculptural pieces set into the magnificent coastal scenery.

From Saturday 2 March to Monday 11 March, the far south coast town better known for its game fishing history will come alive with those who appreciate the very best in modern Australian artwork.

There will be large sculpture installations on the incomparably picturesque Endeavour Point Headland, Dickinson Park and Horseshoe Bay beach as well as an indoor exhibition of smaller sculptures in the Bermagui Community Hall. There will be a Symposium: Good Dog! Animals in Sculpture at architect Philip Cox's Murrah property on 3 March and a Fire Festival will be staged on Sunday 10 March during the Community Picnic amongst the sculptures on the headland.

Internationally architect and local Philip Cox and his journalist wife Janet Hawley are the patrons of the event and Philip provides an annual Acquisitive prize. The ANU School of Art also supports the event each year, supplying a residency at the ANU Sculpture School, and encouraging students to participate. Senior staff members have also exhibited and have spoken at various Symposium’s.

The quality and diversity of the exhibition is high, including works by nationally and internationally established sculptors as well as emerging local artists. A feast for the senses, last year there were 50 large pieces dotted around the headland and 50 smaller pieces also housed indoors. The annual display brings artists and their supporters from around Australia, and visitors are spoiled for choice with what is on offer; also having the opportunity to participate by voting for the People’s Choice Awards throughout the week.

Organiser Jan Ireland says this year’s event will be even bigger and better. Ms Ireland says it will be interesting to see what responses this year’s exhibition receives: history has proved the exhibition to trigger either a variety of either compliments or controversy.“We have had some quiet years, but then we’ve also had the three-quarter size bronze of [former Prime Minister] John Howard in a World War 1 digger’s uniform, and a life-size sculpture of a gorilla on a cross, both of which polarised feelings among those who saw them. “We don’t set out to be provocative, but we don’t believe in turning pieces away, so the mix is always quite eclectic and fascinating.

Our visitors tell us the variety of materials, ideas and approaches ensures a surprising and enjoyable experience.”

Controversy aside, the event’s popularity is always growing and has also launched some careers. Local surfer Peter 'Beatle' Collins exhibited one of his stick waves in the forecourt of the Museum of Sydney and took another wave to the Busan Biennale in Korea, by invitation.

This is the seventh year the exhibition has been running. It started with one piece of sculpture, as part of the annual Bermagui Seaside Fair (which is still running, this year on the weekend of March 9). In 2007 there were 19 pieces on display for three days – now it has expanded to a 10-day event featuring a variety of sculptors.

In addition to the sculptures on display, the event also features children’s workshops, a Festival club (at Fishermen’s Wharf) and a Symposium: Good Dog! Animals in Sculpture. There is also the eagerly-awaited open day at the property of international architect Philip Cox on March 3, who is the patron of the event. Visitors will be able explore the coastal bush retreat, ‘Thubbul’, just south of Bermagui and its landscaped courtyards formed by detached, contemporary bungalows, featuring Philip Cox’s outdoor sculpture collection.

You can find details on accommodation as well as more information on other activities in the region by visiting the Sapphire Coast website www.sapphirecoast.com.au

Located on the far south coast of NSW, Bermagui is a seaside town on the Sapphire Coast, which is three hours’ drive from Canberra via Cooma or a five and a half hours drive Sydney, or an eight hour drive from Melbourne. There are also regular daily flights from Melbourne or Sydney via REX Airlines into Merimbula, and regular inter-city bus services.

Photo credits: Dylan Harris' "The Oracle"; James Worth's "The Seed Pod of Life"; and Ulan Murray's "Samara". All photographs to be credited to Prem Samira.