Walking Swell Sculpture Festival

Artists mingling with logistics specialists, crane drivers with perplexed looks on their faces wondering what all the fuss is about! After all it's just a lump of wood? (Mmm that lump of timber is an art piece that took 12 months to create) and there are those who take utmost care of every movement from their truck, treating the precious cargo like a new born child. (They know the cost of an accident)

Then you have the artist's themselves who in some instances bring their creation on the back of Ute or strapped to the roof rack of a 'Combe Van' or a trailer depending on how large the piece is. It's not unusual to see an artist shovelling sand to make sure their sculpture sits accurately on the allocated spot all in the name of art. After spending so much time and effort in a creative pursuit, the end result of final display is vital.

Bring your camera because you are in for a treat, you can capture those unique shots at the following time frames:
Sunrise, Day time, Sunset, Evening, It's open 24/7. Come back time and time again to get that perfect shot!

The heart in this photograph, is a work by Wendy Johnson & Katrina Kelsey, it's called 'Creation's Heart' quote from the Swell 2009 program is as follows;

'The heart is a symbolic gateway to look through. The constant rhythms of the ocean wash away our cares and renew our soul. We believe the ocean is eternal yet its fragility is mirrored in the ebb and flow of the waves. It is time to give something back to our ancient friend. Recycled materials and biodegradable plant fibre was a purposeful decision in the installation to minimise our ecological foot print'. Source -'Swell 2009 Exhibition Program'

This piece of art work was very popular last year, visitors delighted in posing and taking photos with the majestic Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. There must be hundreds if not thousands of photos with visitors and locals using the opportunity to frame themselves in 'Creations Heart'.
Let hope there is something else to delight young lovers and children this year.

When you have absorbed enough artwork, why not enjoy a meal or a nice glass of wine at one of the many restaurants on the beachfront, you can choose from a number of options. A quick snack while you are wandering from exhibit to exhibit or a sit down meal watching the Pacific Ocean roll in.

If people watching is your thing, just do that and listen to the variety of comments from children to retired folk, who knows who will turn up? Perhaps you are not a walker, just buy a program have a drink and make your way to the exhibits that interest you, and maybe you just may purchase one!

Living art is the essence of Currumbin Beach; this photo was taken late afternoon during the Swell Festival last year, it's an example of a living canvas. You can sit and absorb your surroundings at sunset, the faraway sounds of people's cries and the rhythmic pounding of the surf is quite intoxicating.

The photo featured was really out of the box, I was waiting around longer then normal because I was watching intently a couple getting married on the beach. The bride wasn't very happy and although it was some distance away her body language said it all. As the scene was unfolding and taking photos which I could never use, I happened to turn around and to my delight in a matter of moments the whole area had turn a beautiful shade of orange! All I can say is thank you to an unhappy bride; there is a silver lining, even if it's someone else's.