Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2014
Sculpture by the Sea is in its tenth year at Cottesloe Beach, showcasing works by 74 sculptors, including 25 international artists. The exhibition stretches across the beach, the surrounding lawn and along Cottesloe Groyne.
The sculpture that’s attracted the most interest this year is ‘Bulk carrier’, affectionately known by the Perth public as “the giant goon bag“, by WA artist Norton Flavel. “Giant” is accurate; you’ll see it long before your feet hit the sand.
Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe
- Cottesloe Beach
- 7 to 24 March 2014
- Free entry (donations welcome)
- Catalogues are available onsite for $10 and include an exhibition map.
- There are Sculpture by the Sea exhibitions at Bondi Beach, Sydney and Aarhus, Denmark.
Permanent sunset by Alejandro Propato. Aluminium pipes, nylon wire and steel wire
150 surfboard graveyard -Cottesloe by Chris Anderson. Broken surfboards
Foreground: A to B by Francesca Mataranga. Wood, paint, steel. Background, on the steps: Survey by Tania Spencer. Flagging tape, metal.
Rescheduling permanence by Helen Seiver. Wood, crocheted plastic bags.
Rescheduling permanence by Helen Seiver. Wood, crocheted plastic bags – close up.
Overconsumption by Kerrie Argent. Plastic lids, cable ties, plastic bottles.
Plastic world by Carole Purnelle and Nuno Maya. Iron, plastic.
Red center by Carl Billingsley [Note: American artist, American spelling of ‘centre’]. Red and yellow survey flags. The flags flapped gently in the breeze. 
Gift of the rhinoceros by Mikaela Castledine. Polypropelene fibre, aluminium.
Windsong by Barclay Bailey. Steel, aluminium, monofilament.It was a busy morning, with lots of people out to see the sculptures, genuine beach-goers swimming or sunbathing, and the Cottesloe surf lifesavers training on the beach. As I watched them racing into the water, I couldn’t help thinking about our very different lives. I go to the beach fewer than five times a year and I’m as comfortable in the surf as a Persian cat.
The goon bag looks even more impressive up close. It’s for sale at AU$20,000. Got some space in your backyard? It would be the ultimate party centrepiece.
Bulk carrier by Norton Flavel. Reflective PVC, epoxy resin. Better known by the Perth public as ‘the giant goon bag’. 
This thing is huge. And it really does look like it could be full of wine. 
Foreground: Once removed by Robert Barnstone. Cast glass. And the giant goon bag in the background. 
There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip by Ken Unsworth. Timber, bicycle, plastic skeleton, foam, steel, rope
Insectopia by Maria Hildrick. Wire, card, paper pulp, glue, india ink, enamel paint, marine varnish.
From this angle, you can see the red centre in ‘Red center’. And of course, that enormous goon bag. 
There’s a lot more to see, of course. I’ll leave you surprises to discover for yourself.
What to do after all that culture? A visit to Red Spoon across the road on Marine Parade, for gelato and frozen yoghurt.
I chose gelato – a scoop each of banana and tiramisu. Jac had a large cup of wild berry and pomegranate frozen yoghurt. The yoghurt looked like toothpaste (and, disconcertingly, like Jamie Oliver’s pink slime) but Jac assured me it was delicious, especially the pomegranate.
My banana and tiramisu gelati, Jac's wildberry and pomegranate frozen yoghurt at Red Spoon, Cottesloe