THE SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

Last Monday Laurie and I were taken to see the Swell Sculpture Festival being held at Currumbin Beach on the southern coast of Queensland. The sculptures are set along a stretch of about one and a half kilometres; from Currumbin point in the north to the beginning of Tugun beach at the southern end.

This huge corten steel sculpture was, to me, the single most dramatic and effective work in the festival. Being set on the sand meant that it had no human-made object or building to reference its size. I really liked the careful siting that meant that the horizon was visible through the centre of the circular opening, which drew the viewer's attention. The longest side held a staircase that was concealed from the side view; at the top of which was another circular opening that showed only the sky when viewed from the base.

One of the last sculptures at the southern end of the exhibition was this series of Torii structures covered with mirrored surfaces. They were arranged in a shallow curve so that one could not see the full length of the arcade they formed. From a distance the mirrored surfaces reduced the impact of the arcade compared to what it would have been like if they had been painted vermillion; like the lines of Torii arcades leading to some Shinto shrines in Japan.

Because of the curve, multiple reflections could be seen of anyone approaching but who were still out of direct line of sight. 

This sculpture really appealed to me because, at first glance, the inverted pyramidal steel form seemed to be being dragged by an apparently invisible force pulling on the chain. However, on closer inspection, there was a small honey bee that was doing the work.

Although it is a somewhat different idea, it put me in mind of my student Maree's ikebana at last year's annual exhibition of the Sogetsu Victoria Branch.

My ikebana this week is a final re-working of the material I used in the Sogetsu Branch workshop at the end of July. I actually made this ikebana a week later in the first week of August.

 

I have arranged straight stems of Umbrella grass Cyperus alternifolius, vertically except for two gently curving lines that cross in front and behind the main mass. Bright red carnations Dianthus caryophyllus, form a rising line that spirals from the front around to the back of the vertical lines.

The vase is by the Australian ceramicist Greg Daly.

Greetings from Christopher

20th September 2026