Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture festival connects people, art and place.
Over ten days (September 11 – 20), Swell Sculpture Festival transforms the Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach into one massive outdoor art gallery. And this year, despite the complications, the Swell team is celebrating with more than 50 colourful, eccentric, thought-provoking, head-turning, and head-scratching installations. Some of them are for sale too, but to know which ones you will have to check out the digital magazine.
Understandably, some changes have been made to last year’s event. The first is one we are forced to accept considering the circumstances, but its absence leaves a tinge of sadness. Regardless, we can be pretty much sure that 2021 will see the return of tactile and interactive installations but until then we will have to do without. The second, and in our humble opinion not so sad, is the digitalisation of the kid’s programme.
Local, national and international artists have all contributed to this year’s festival. Many will be holding talks next to their sculptures as well as running workshops. A special treat for visitors will surely be the guided twilight walks through the gallery, i.e. long walks along the beach where visitors soak up the merging of the sculptures into the natural landscape.
Swell is also running events, like talks, workshops, gigs and spoken word performances at the Swell Smalls Gallery (held at Dust Temple) alongside a collection of the smaller sculptures and installations that complement the larger-than-life sculptures on the beach.
Finally, don’t forget about the photo competition, either. Remember, your photo needs to depict what Swell is all about: People, Art, Place. For more information and how to enter, check the #SWELLSNAP Facebook page. Above is last year’s winner.
Brisbane Festival is on now as well and there’s a bunch of free events to check out.
(Featured image: @pbrimagesoz)
Practical information
$5 Festival guide