Swell Sculptures 2023

Wednesday 13 September 

It was a busy day. The Brisbane Festival is this month and a highlight is the Illumination of the City Botanical Gardens. We had to book a date very early and chose 13th September. Last week we realised that this coincided with the Swell Sculptures at Currumbin Beach.  We didn't want to miss them.

Result - Four Hungry Hikers were on the road to the coast at 5 a.m., to witness the sunrise at Currumbin Beach and explore the shoreline dotted with over 70 pieces of art.

Sunrise images.

This was my favourite and its title is appropriate. This wren is also one of my favourite birds.

Here is the Blue Fairy Wren that was once a regular visitor to my garden. Sadly no longer so. It has been chased away by the Noisy Miners!

My 2nd choice brings back childhood memories for myself and my boys. The Hills Hoist was the washing line in everyone's backyard. Birds loved to sit on them and the magpie would trill its delightful tune.

Memories - Father and son hanging out the washing on our Hills Hoist.

The device went on to become an icon of the Aussie backyard for decades. It is now listed as a National Treasure by the National Library of Australia.

Local themes.

I have no details of this piece, but then, none is necessary.

We witnessed this on two occasions as floodwaters crept across the golf course to invade our property. A ground-living bird, there are numerous families on the golf course. At nesting time they are very protective and can be vicious.

There is no theme associated with the Swell Sculptures. "

Swell welcomes the opportunity to work with artists, who are keen to break new ground in sculpture presentation and installation art." 

We found many of the explanations of the artist's work quite deep in meaning. Alas, we often felt quite bewildered. That said, this sculpture was mesmerising to watch with its ocean background.

Many of the artists focused on the need to take greater care of the world around us.

My least favourite aesthetically but its blurb makes it quite impactful!

Yes, this was quite the surprise!

Very clever - the seaweed moved gently in the breeze.

Stunning!

View back to our parked car.

Our viewing complete, we decided to walk back along the footpath to the Currumbin SLS club for breakfast. As we looked out to sea, several whales were slowly swimming south, just offshore. The SLSC has a rocky peak beside it and steps to its viewing platform. The whales had moved further south, but the view across Swell was rather impressive.

As was our breakfast view.

Returning to the car we noticed several signs indicating a Swell Gallery. It was well worth our while to take a look. The gallery was exhibiting smaller sculpture replicas of the sculptures we had seen on the beach. Sadly, still out of our price range. I did splurge though, and just love my 22 cards of affirmation by Julia Rose, 'Naturally Positive'.

Julia's sculpture - RiJulot

Such a wonderful morning viewing these amazing sculptures before the crowds descended, with calming waves and a crisp blue sky in the background. Four pm would see us in the city to view 'Lightscape'. Could our evening viewing match the delight of this morning? The answer soon.

I would love to read your comment.