The Gold Coast’s Currumbin Beach will be transformed into an open-air exhibition for the the annual Swell Sculpture Festival on until 20 September.
Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh encouraged Gold Coast locals and visitors to take part in the free festival which features 52 innovative sculptures from Australian and international artists.
“Now in its seventh year, the Swell Sculpture Festival is a key event on the Gold Coast’s cultural calendar and an important part of Queensland’s cultural identity and lifestyle,” Ms Bligh said.
“This year more than 200,000 people are expected to walk the Currumbin foreshore to view the engaging works against the exceptionally beautiful seaside landscape.
“The quirky and reflective sculptures include Philip Perides’ larger-than-life bronze feet; Kelly Ann Lees’ pod formation, and an extravagant floral mass draped over Currumbin Rock, the stunning result of a community project involving 960 Currumbin State School students and NSW artist Lynne Adams.”
The Premier said this year’s festival also includes twilight sculpture walks, Swell Kids’ workshops for children, artist talks and a public art forum exploring Perspectives of Public Art.
The 52 art works will vie for awards and acquisitions, including the $20 000 Gold Coast City Council Acquisition Award. Smaller works by the exhibiting artists, Swell Smalls Gallery, will be on show at nearby exhibition space The Way of Design throughout the festival.
The Queensland Government contributes $50,000 to the festival’s operational costs through Arts Queensland’s s2m program, which funds the state’s small to medium arts sector,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland is home to some of Australia's most exciting and innovative festivals, spanning all corners of the state and making the arts accessible to many communities,” Ms Bligh said.
“During our state’s 150th birthday year, I am proud to see all Queenslanders taking part in cultural celebrations, with the recent Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Laura Dance Festival and the Queensland Music Festival concerts in the state’s west drawing big crowds.
“Today we see the start of the 2009 Brisbane Festival, with annual favourite QBE Riverfire kicking off one of Australia’s largest arts and cultural celebrations 12 September - 3 October.
Visit www.swellsculpture.com.au for more information and a program of events.
Media contact: 07 32244500
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