Swirling Surround by B.Jane Cowie.
Camera IconSwirling Surround by B.Jane Cowie. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Town of Cottesloe decides against adding to collection of Sculpture by the Sea works

Jon BassettWestern Suburbs Weekly

A LACK of the right piece and having to organise the sites of previous purchases has stopped Cottesloe council from adding work from the 14th annual Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach to it collection.

The annual beachside exhibition closes today.

“There’s a lot of stuff we like, but a lot wouldn’t go well near a beach with all the wear and tear,” Cottesloe Mayor Philip Angers said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The council has multiple purchases from previous Sculpture by the Seas that are spread across the town, and Mr Angers said the money saved would now be rolled into the budget for any buy next year.

There were 70 pieces in the exhibition this year.

Mixed media sculptor Denise Pepper of Bayswater with her Sculpture by the Sea entry in the shape of wings.
Camera IconMixed media sculptor Denise Pepper of Bayswater with her Sculpture by the Sea entry in the shape of wings. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis www.communitypix.com.au d479679

Mr Angers said council would investigate creating a tour of the sculptures so they were better known by the public before the 15th exhibition.

He said local businesses anticipated a “boost” from an expected 220,000 visitors to the beachfront event.

Founding director David Handley said the evening crowds viewing the sculptures had created Perth’s own version of the Italian “passeggiata”, a walk to promenade with others, each day.

“The atmosphere of thousands and thousands of people make it feel as if the whole of Perth, like an Italian village, is out walking together,” Mr Handley said.

Last Friday, Singapore-based artist B. Jane Cowie won the $5000 EY People’s Choice Prize for her interactive sculpture Swirling Surround of glass fish in a dome-shaped structure.

Denise Pepper won the $2000 Kids’ Choice Prize for Waiting in the Wings that used aluminium and a mirror finish to create wings framing the coast.

MORE: Proposed twin towers in Scarborough get Premier’s backing

MORE: Stranger brings joy to teen with brain tumour after returning Nintendo

MORE: Man charged over ‘serious assault’ in Perth