Every year, Brighton Beach hosts a wonderful festival that brings together art, community, and the lovely Brighton coastline, which my wife and I always go down to experience. This year was no different.
I’ll try not to repeat myself because I’ve covered this topic in previous posts, but I do want to introduce you to new pieces. Brighton Jetty Sculptures is South Australia’s largest sculpture display, and it takes place annually. Here are some key details:
Event Details:
- The exhibition took place from 17th to 28th January 2024
- It featured more than 200 sculptures, all of which were available for sale
- The proceeds from the event support SA sculptors and the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
History:
- The first Brighton Jetty Sculptures exhibition was launched in 2008
- It featured 34 sculptures by 14 artists
- The initiative for this event came from members of the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
- They were inspired by the renowned Sculptures by the Sea exhibition held at and around the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club in Perth, Western Australia
So, grab your sunnies and your camera, put on a hat and let’s stroll along the Brighton foreshore – let the sculptures tell their story.
I’ve compiled a list of my favourite pieces for this year, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Transient
Sculptor: Matt Turley
Material: Stainless Steel Size: w 1200mm; d 3000mm; h 2100mm Weight: 150kg
Artist’s Description:
Every moment of our lives is a moment of transition, moving from the outcomes of one decision to the next, where change is the only constant. My sculpture seeks to capture the essence of movement and transience. The interplay between the rigidity of metal and the fluidity of motion that as people we may believe we are set in our ways, all the while adapting to the ever-changing nature of our existence.
Watching for Prey
Sculptor: Alistair Dobson
Material: Recycled Scrap Metal Size: w 900mm; d 1100mm; h 1600mm Weight: 87kg
Artist’s Description:
Wedge-tailed eagles are not only one of Australia’s most impressive and graceful birds but are also environmentalists in their own right. Much of their food source comes from thoughtlessly introduced species such as rabbits and hares. Wedge-tailed eagles also provide great benefits to farmers and the environment by helping to control these pest animals and the disposal of dead animals such as roadkill. My life size rendition is designed to capture this top predator watching for prey.
Serpent Emerging #1
Sculptor: John Hayward
Material: Timber, Steel, Paint, Sand Size: w 700mm; d 250mm; h 2400mm Weight: 70kg
Artist’s Description:
The serpent is one of the oldest mythological symbols found in many cultures all over the world. In this piece the serpent becomes an allusive being that can never be fully seen or understood as it tries to escape the confines of its conceptual framework.
Return
Sculptor: Christian Hall
Material: Steel Size: w 1800mm; d 400mm; h 2200mm Weight: 120kg
Artist’s Description:
Return is a sculpture resulting from the formal exploration of the repeat production of a tapering corrugated steel bar. Its looping structure resonates with the material’s transformation from iron ore to steel to rust. The work reflects upon the time of human manufacturing and the time of the material’s natural disintegration. The artwork embodies an environmental consciousness, highlighting the interplay between human and more-than-human temporalities within the material world.
Stellar
Sculptor: Claude Portelli
Material: Polished Stainless Steel Size: w 1500mm; d 1000mm; h 2000mm Weight: 40kg
Artist’s Description:
This sculpture is a testament to the power and grace of a strong female dancer. Her bod, glistening with resilience, defies gravity in a fluid movement. With every sinuous curve and precise muscle, she embodies the essence of dance. Stellar whispers the timeless mantra ‘Be yourself, be strong’, inviting all to embrace their inner strength and dance their own rhythm, unapologetically.
Soul Searching
Sculptor: Claude Portelli
Material: Polished Stainless Steel Size: w 1000mm; d 500mm; h 1600mm Weight: 20kg
Artist’s Description:
Crafted in polished stainless steel, the face embodies profound contemplation, its gaze fixed on the horizon. With features etched in wonder, it invites soul searching. The sculpture evokes a quest for understanding beckoning viewers to explore life’s mysteries and the eternal pursuit of enlightenment.
Precious Love
Sculptor: Baden Lloyd
Material: Recycled Corrugated Iron, Copper Wire, Hardwood Plinth
Size: w 1000mm; d 1800mm; h 2000mm Weight: 20kg
Artist’s Description:
This sculpture represents the beauty and resilience of marine life. By using scrap metal and recycled corrugated iron, I hope to draw attention to the importance of recycling and reducing waste. The mother and child dolphins symbolise the strong bond between family members in the animal kingdom, and the need to protect our oceans and marine life for future generations. I hope this sculpture inspires people to protect our planet and its precious resources.
Not Waving But Drowning
Sculptor: Clancy Warner
Material: Re-claimed Oregon Timber and Sand Cast Bronze
Size: w 1000mm; d 1000mm; h 1750mm Weight: 70kg
Artist’s Description:
Not Waving but Drowning is a criticism of the political climate and the society that we currently live in. It represents the racism, genocide, refugees, bushfires, floods, global warming, rising sea levels and other catastrophes of today, admonishing those that ignore and/or encourage such actions.
Artwork and artists, Left to right:
Light As A Feather by James Hamilton; Rusty Seahorse by Nikica Vukic
Bloom by Peter DeMaria; Rambling Vine by Andrew Rendall
While some themes may recur, each artist brings their unique touch to the event. If you enjoy art, creativity, and sunshine then this exhibition is an excellent opportunity to see a variety of sculptures while also supporting local artists.
So, if you’re interested in art, or just someone who enjoys a good beachside wander like us, make sure to pencil in January 2025. We’ll catch you at the Brighton Jetty.
Ciao!