Sydney's Sculpture by the sea is the largest outdoor exhibition in Australia. Each year, the coastal walk along Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach is transformed into a gigantic art gallery with sculptures inspired by all kinds of elements. 

I like to take a leisurely stroll along the coastal walk to take in the view of these amazing works of art against the dramatic backdrop of breath-taking Sydney harbour. People are attracted to this exhibition not only for the unique and often whimsical sculptures but because the venue at Bondi Beach in itself is a showcase of Sydney and Australia's beach and surfing lifestyle.

Local schools in Sydney are among a host of keen supporters of this annual event where happy school children can often be seen literally have a field day wandering around the beach and the coastal walk.

An early controversial entrant this year was Little Boy Lost by artist Paul Trefry, depicting a naked boy. Waverly Council ruled the sculpture should be clothed while Trefry felt the government is too conservative and myopic with censorship rules and guidelines.

Eventually,  the sculpture was allowed to be display in its intended form by the artist. "We've got a win for the art world and hopefully that's the end of it,'' Trefry said.

This year's winning entry came from 91-year old May Barrie who was inaugurated with the Balnaves Foundation Prize together with a cash bonus of A$60,000. She has been a sculptor most of her life and draws inspiration from being able to work 3 - 4 hours each week although helpers are at hand to assist with heavy tools which she uses for her favourite medium of stone sculpture.

She started working on her winning entry back in 1995 and completed it a year later at the age of 78. Her work Time and Tide Granite Monolith II beat 113 other sculptures which are scattered all along the coastal walk from Bondi Beach towards the south along the coastline.

Speaking on behalf of her mother, Tori de Mestr said Ms Barrie planned to "give which include 5 children, many grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

The Sculpture by the sea exhibition attracts an estimated 500,000 visitors to Bondi Beach and its surrounding areas each year.

I hope you enjoy the photos and thanks for visiting. Please take a look at my previous Sculpture by the sea hub.

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