Currumbin's Spectacular Swell Sculpture Festival Is Returning for 2024 to Turn the Beach Into a Free Art Gallery
Over a one-kilometre stretch, this year's free ten-day outdoor festival will feature 60-plus large-scale works from local, interstate and international artists.
A visit to Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast doesn't usually involve frolicking through giant dandelions as they sway in the sea breeze, watching huge coins glisten by the shore, walking through a towering plastic archway or spying an old truck on the sand. For ten days come spring 2024, however, it will. Each year for 22 years now, Swell Sculpture Festival fills a one-kilometre stretch of the coastline with massive artworks — and the aforementioned pieces are just some of this year's highlights. Hit the beach and you'll also spot a tribute to jellyfish, an interactive cube that's inspired by mix-and-match picture books and features Australian native species, multicoloured scarves, fungi furniture and even the GC itself (well, a likeness of it) buried under sand.
The list of works goes on, including a large sweet myrtle flower, Aussie blowflies, a sea dragon, breathing exhaust pipes and a sandstone sphere. Some pay tribute to southeast Queensland history. Many explore humanity's impact on the earth. Others honour Australia's First Peoples. There'll be more than 60 pieces in total, all dotted along the sand between Friday, September 6–Sunday, September 15 — with each one putting the regular sandcastles that you might spot on any beach to shame.
If this seems like the kind of event that not only engages the crowds of people who hit up Currumbin each spring, but also inspires them, that's because it is. 2024's Swell Sculpture Festival has broken its own record for the most artists involved, eclipsing 350 — with 250 local, interstate and international talents contributing to the sculptures.
"Last year we had over 290 artists collaborating and working across Swell — and this year we have over 350 artists, including 250 sculptors working with artists in the main exhibition, which is an unprecedented number," explains Swell Sculpture Festival Co-Founder and Artistic Director Natasha Edwards.
"This is an increase of more than 20 percent, with a focus on collaborations this year, bringing more people together to work harmoniously and achieve a common goal of fostering connections, inspiring contemplation and promoting positive change through the language of sculpture," Edwards continues.
"Many of the sculptures have an environmental theme, encouraging visitors to step outside their comfort zone and confront the realistic threat our earth is facing in a thought-provoking and gentle way."
When they craft the fest's eye-catching sights, Swell's roster of artists use everything from concrete, stainless steel, copper, bronze, wood, glass, plastic and natural fibres to fibreglass, bamboo, wire, silk, stone and aluminium — and plenty of other materials. The many ways that different folks can fashion these substances into new pieces of arts is also among the event's takeaway musings.
2024's festival wants to get patrons engaging more than just their eyes, too, starting with a kayak listening experience on Currumbin Creek. Swell also spans a beachside fringe fest, guided walks, a bar, yoga among the sculptures, tai chi, pilates, drawing sessions, other art and craft classes, a silent disco under the stars, a sing-along and more.
Swell Sculpture Festival 2024 runs from Friday, September 6–Sunday, September 15 at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast. For further information, head to the event's website.
Images: Leximagery and Ravel.
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