Probably one of my favourite events and I try to visit every year. A good reason to also spend time with Nick and Loz.

Sculptures by the Sea is set between Bondi and Tamarara beaches in Sydney. It’s free but you are encouraged to make a contribution. This is its 30th year and it costs $3 million to set up. When you see the art works you understand what a challenging show this is to stage, let alone paying the artists for their creative and innovative works.

Possibly my favourite from this years show is Yoshio Nitta’s “I thought about Transporting the moon on a small boat”

To transport the moon that has sunk in the sea you have to put it in a boat.

Some of the explanations are high falluting art babble but some are direct and relatable. I met Keizo Ushio a number of years ago and he is the gentlest sculptor from Japan. This is his contribution this year. His studio is an abandoned quarry in Hyogo and his medium is granite. Keizo removed the centre from the block and the remainder is sliced with a diamond flecked saw to make the continuous undulation of a Möbius strip. One side is polished and the other side is rough. His way of exploring geometry in nature. Stunning and masterful.

Jimmy Rix’s Silent Crossing captures an owl in flight as a symbol of spiritual passing. He describes it as an inward journey on silent wings.

Ayad Alqarogholli’s work is entitled “The journey of Life.” Life balances between stability and uncertainty. A woman, at its core sustains life and family. A figure, a tree and two chairs represent the tension.

This next one won an award and you can see why. Created by Ulan and Rachel it features the enduring strength of mangroves which protect coastlines.

Stephen King created Time Capsule. The log is 125 years old. Check the hidden wave.

Flim Flam Studios created “Sweethearts”. I loved these as a child. Here they are recreated with messages confronting violence against women. Inscribed with messages that excuse, minimise and even enable violence.

I loved this one for its use of materials. It’s called “One Moon” and was made by Maj D with 5000 donated pieces of glass and crystal. She hopes it projects purity, forgiveness and responsibility. Let’s hope it does.

This is James Tapscott’s Ex Halo. The mist changes with the wind making each encounter unique.

A real issue for the exhibition …

And finally Stephanie Quirk. She posts Love in the sky every morning. Not sure how it qualifies as a sculpture but hey art is pretty fluid and ephemeral these days. Hope you enjoyed the collection.

More sculptures on insta ! marinamarangos.