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SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018 – REVIEW

September 15, 2018 By Melissa 12 Comments

The SWELL Sculpture Festival has just kicked off here on the Gold Coast. Held on the stunningly beautiful Currumbin Beach, SWELL is now in it’s 16th year. This year will be my fourth year of attending SWELL and I think it gets better and better every year.

(Check out what was on offer in 2015, 2016 and 2017!)

This year, more than 35 artists have their work on display at SWELL. This Festival really showcases how many talented people we have in this country. Even if you are not particularly into art or don’t understand the meaning behind the pieces, it’s still so awesome to see some of the work and appreciate how much time and effort went into making them. Some of them are huge and would have required many hours of work to complete them.

SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018

Currumbin Beach is the stunning location for the SWELL Sculpture Festival.

GETTING THERE

If you are driving, Currumbin Beach is located about a 20 to 30 minute drive south of Surfers Paradise. Parking around the area is limited so there is a free park and ride service available from Currumbin RSL. You can also park at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for $10.00. There are also buses that run down to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and from there it’s just a short walk. My recommendation is to get there early in the morning and you should be able to find a park nearby.

 

So, in no particular order, here are my five favourites from SWELL 2018.

EMBRYO

By Joy Heylen, Luke Mallie, Ronda Sharpe, Jacqueline Damon and Agata Mouasher

Joy Heylen is a regular at SWELL. In fact she won the Grand Prize at last years festival. Her works are a blend of engineered Art and this years piece is no exception. This piece is a finalist in the Collaborative Team award.

SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018

Embryo is a collaborative work and is a finalist in the Collaborative Team award.

YOU’RE TERRIBLE MURIEL!

by Ivan Lovatt

Ivan Lovatt is a regular at SWELL and his pieces are easily recognisable. They are made of wire netting and really are works of art. Every year I marvel at his skill and this year was no exception. His giant Galah, complete with timber perch, is so iconically Australian. As is the reference to that wonderful Toni Collette movie – Muriel’s Wedding. The sculpture was made to commemorate his own little bird ‘Muriel’ who bought much joy to his family.

This was obviously a crowd favourite as well and I was lucky to be able to get a couple of shots with no one in it.

SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018

This year’s work by Ivan Lovatt is called ‘You’re Terrible Muriel!’

PORTAL SUN. HARVEST STAR. SHADOW MOON

by Jack Quilter

Artist Jack Quilter comes from Murwillumbah in northern NSW. His series of three sculptures are made entirely out of scrap metal. Some of it was readily identifiable such as the mattock heads. Others I wasn’t so sure about. Set against the back drop of Currumbin Beach and the Pacific Ocean they were an impressive sight.

SWELL Sculpture Festival

Jack Quilter utilises scrap metal in the making of his sculptures.

DINGO

by Nick Warfield

A previous exhibitor at SWELL, Nick Warfield comes from the mid-north coast of NSW. He creates his visually dynamic pieces from waste materials. This years clever piece captures our Australian native dog beautifully. I love the colours and the expression on his face.

SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018

Dingo is made from waste materials.

THE SEAMSTRESS

by Monte Lupo

When I researched the artist for The Seamstress I discovered that Monte Lupo is an Australian Disability Enterprise which provides creative supported employment for people with a disability. The Seamstress is just one of their many beautiful and quirky designs. I loved the story it tells and how it reminds me of skills that have been lost by many.

SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018

The Seamstress was created by artists from Monte Lupo Arts.

The SWELL Sculpture Festival 2018 wraps up on the 23rd September. If you are visiting the Gold Coast during this time, I highly recommend that you come and check it out!

For more information visit the SWELL website.

 

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Filed Under: Events, Reviews

Comments

  1. Kathy Marris says

    September 30, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    I arrived here on the day they were packing up! I was really disappointed to miss it this year. I love the Galah!

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      October 1, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Always next year Kathy…you may have had other things on your mind this year 🙂

      Reply
  2. Bronnie - Maid In Australia says

    September 22, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    This looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to go to this festival, but I had no idea the art was so, well, artistic! So much talent. I think I like the dingo the bet, but they are all great.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 22, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      Yes the talent is incredible! So many clever people around.

      Reply
  3. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says

    September 22, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Ohhh, we’ll miss it! We’re heading up first week of October. Looks incredible! #teamlovinlife

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 22, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      That’s a shame….you should put it in your diary for next year!

      Reply
  4. Min @ Write of the Middle says

    September 20, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    How fantastic! Thanks for sharing this Melissa. I didn’t even realise this was on. Those are amazing. I’m particularly taken with the dingo but love the others too! Second or maybe a tie for first would have to be that giant galah and I love the ‘you’re terrible Muriel’ reference! lol 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 20, 2018 at 9:29 pm

      I love the galah too. Have a look at my posts for previous years to see some of his other work. He’s very talented. The dingo caught my eye as well.

      Reply
  5. Sydney Shop Girl says

    September 20, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    I’m another big fan of art and sculpture on the beach. My favourite is the dingo!

    SSG xxx

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 20, 2018 at 9:28 pm

      Yes he was very cool. I would love to go to Sydney one as well.

      Reply
  6. Joanne Tracey says

    September 20, 2018 at 10:14 am

    I LOVE events like this. As for my fave of the pics? It has to be the giant galah.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      September 20, 2018 at 10:45 am

      Yes I have to confess the galah was my favourite too…..and the name!

      Reply

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