Overview
Seeing a lighthouse near the beach isn't anything new. When that glowing beacon by the shore is solely made from recycled sails, however — with animation to help it get luminous up top and rotate the beam — it stands out. The structure in question: a 10.6-metre-tall sculpture fittingly called Lighthouse, hailing from Simone Chua and Amigo & Amigo, and a big drawcard of the returning Swell Sculpture Festival when it takes over Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast for 2023.
A trip to the tourist spot between Friday, September 8–Sunday, September 17 now involves checking out the impressive towering work — and 75-plus sculptures by 190 artists in total as part of this year's program. Every year for more than two decades now, the event turns a one-kilometre expanse of sand into a huge outdoor art gallery for ten must-visit days.
The fact that almost 200 folks have contributed sculptures this time around is massive — and so is the ongoing role of the event to showcase up-and-coming talents, a mission that the team behind Swell is passionate about.
"We've seen an over 40-percent increase in the number of artists participating this year — this is largely due to the collaborative projects that have captured the enthusiasm of artists to contribute to the festival," explains Swell Co-Founder and Artistic Director Natasha Edwards.
"Swell has earned a reputation as a launching pad for emerging artists, propelling them towards successful careers in the art world."
Thanks to those hefty figures, visitors to this free festival will score an eyeful of stunning creations. Yes, by simply walking along the beach, you'll view stellar art almost as far as the eye can see. Other 2023 pieces include a life-size shark, aka Shark Rod, that's been built over weekends from vintage car parts; the bright orange Basking in the Sun — Eastern Water Dragons, as fashioned from 20-millimetre aluminium pipe and flat bar; a series of turtles and manta rays; and Treasure, which looks like an archaeological dig.
The word "giant" comes up frequently in descriptions of Swell's artworks each year, with 2023 no exception; a huge conch shell and oversized coral are just the beginning. Contemplating climate change is also common, including in Surge, which muses on melting ice and rising seas. Storms, erosion, dystopias, the Gold Coast's future, Australian animals, flowers, oyster shells, marine pollution, inflation, the passing of time — they all get a nod as well.
Exactly what each artist, pairing or collective whips up isn't the only highlight. The themes and topics that their works ponder is just as fascinating, of course, and so is the variety of materials used. Swell's talents tend to deploy everything from concrete, stainless steel, copper, bronze, wood, glass, plastic and natural fibres to fibreglass, bamboo, wire, silk, stone and aluminium.
Art is the main part of the lineup, but Swell also includes a beachside fringe fest, guided walks, yoga among the sculptures, masterclasses and more. And if you feel like taking a bucket, scooping up some sand and making your own art there and then, you can — you're on a beach, after all.
Swell Sculpture Festival 2023 runs from Friday, September 8–Sunday, September 17 at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast. For further information, head to the event's website.
Images: PBR Images/Leximagery/Katie Bennett/Embellysh/Room4Graphics/Carey Cam/Edward Trost/Katie Bennett/Dee Steinfort.