‘Sculpture Rocks’, a free outdoor exhibition of sculpture by leading Japanese artists, launched today in The Rocks, presented by Sculpture by the Sea in partnership with Place Management NSW (PMNSW) and the Ports Authority of NSW.
The exhibition features a beautifully refined selection of 17 works by 13 Japanese artists including Keizo Ushio, Takeshi Tanabe, Ayako Saito, Koichi Ishino and an ephemeral work by Akira Kamada. The artists hail from both Japan and Australia, including a number who moved to Australia due to the vibrant sculpture scene nurtured by Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
Staged along Sydney Harbour foreshore between the Overseas Passenger Terminal, along Campbells Cove, and ending at Hickson Reserve next to the Park Hyatt Hotel the exhibition has a stunning backdrop of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The Hon. Don Harwin, Minister for the Arts, was in attendance to launch the exhibition, alongside Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley; Igari Soichi, Consul for Political and Cultural Affairs, Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney; and Helkin He Operations Manager, Aqualand, the exhibition’s Principal Sponsor.
Handley, said, “We’re thrilled to present ‘Sculpture Rocks’ against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. Australians have always been great admirers of the sculptures by Japanese artists, with these among the most well received sculptures in our Bondi and Cottesloe exhibitions. As far as we know, this is the largest outdoor exhibition of Japanese works in Australia, if not the world, outside Japan. Thanks to all of the artists, our sponsors, staff and the NSW government for making the exhibition possible.”
‘Sculpture Rocks’ is made possible through the support of Principal Sponsor Aqualand, Create NSW’s Covid Rescue and Restart funding and hosts Place Management NSW, Port Authority of NSW, with thanks to The Japan Foundation, Sydney.
Organisers are also pleased to announce that Aqualand, Principal Sponsor of Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, has renewed their sponsorship of the Bondi exhibition until 2023. Said Handley, “This financial support is tremendous and a key next step for our not for profit organisation as we hopefully emerge from the challenges of Covid. Importantly, this sponsorship extends beyond the Bondi exhibition and will see a sculpture gifted to the people of Sydney by Aqualand each year for permanent public placement.”
After Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi was unable to be staged in 2020 due to Covid-19, organisers are delighted to announce that the beloved exhibition will return with over 100 works for its 24th year to the stunning 2km Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk from 21 October – 7 November.
An indoor exhibition of small contemporary sculpture, ‘Sculpture Rocks Inside’, will be held concurrently at Campbell’s Stores, adjacent to the exhibition and directly above the restaurants lining Campbells Cove.
Organisers will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in Sydney and follow any advice from the State Government in regard to the hosting of small-scale outdoor exhibitions.
For more information, visit: https://sculpturebythesea.com/exhibitions/sculpturerocks
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