The Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is on again here in Sydney, Australia. The art by the sea affords sculptors an opportunity to showcase their amazing works in positions along picturesque walkway from Tamarama to Bondi Beach. This annual event is a joy!

This walking track which hugs the jagged coastline is very pretty and not at all challenging as it dips in and out of alluring beaches. On a fine day it’s lovely to rest and cool off a little in the sea or swim a length or two in any one of the rock swimming pools along the way. Showers are available to rinse off the salt water.

Interesting rock features abound. But when Sculpture by the Sea showcases the art by the sea, it adds a new dimension to one of my favorite Sydney walks.

The contemporary sculptures are placed in strategic positions to set off the particular characteristics of the art piece. Each artist appears to have chosen spots to suit their particular piece of art. The eyes in the rock were a stand out for me.

There are many pieces to encourage walkers to stop awhile.

If is wonderful to see such creativity presented in harmony with the cliff faces, parks, sea and rock-scape. I love it and I have been lucky enough to have seen it two years in a row. Around 100 sculptures from Australia and around the world can been seen along the two kilometer free exhibition.

The stunning views can be seen in the photograph of the horse and rider which looks along to the beaches of Tamarama and Bronte.

There is an old cemetery old Victorian Cemetery at Waverley near Bronte which is a suburb close to the walkway. It’s close to the walk where art by the sea is presented. Here there is the magnificent marble monument of Alexander MacKenzie who was tragically killed by a stagecoach in 1884. He was just 54 years of age. There are many majestic old marble monuments here. Mr MacKenzie, along with the others who are buried here have a marvelous resting place looking out over the sea.

Just above Bronte Beach is a cafe lover's haven. Here locals and visitors have the choice of ten or so cafes and so they can top up their caffeine intake before, or after, strolling along the art by the sea walk.

Of course, as a dedicated coffee lover, the Tamarama Beach Cafe beckoned me. Tamarama Beach has been nicknamed Glamourama because of the beautiful people who frequent it and on some days it’s easy to see why it has this nickname. On an earlier visit (when the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition was not on), the glamorous people were obviously enjoying a champagne breakfast elsewhere as there were few people around. This pocket sized beach has a couple of volleyball courts marked out and some fit enthusiastic foursomes played competitively.

As I sat there on the edge of the beach, relishing my excellent long black and enjoying the spectacle before me, I marveled at the transformation of the beach. Usually volley ball courts are sun worshipper’s frolic on this beach. But while art by the sea exhibition is on, many sculptures have found a temporary home on the beach. Here pictures of the huge wrist watch and the pink diamond are displayed, rather incongruously on the white sandy beach.

This art by the sea will stay in place for about three weeks. The Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is on late October/early November. This is its thirteenth year anniversary and if you're planning a trip to Sydney around this time next year, it is definitely worth combining a visit with this art by the sea exhibition.

http://www.sculpturebythesea.com/