Sydney's sea sculptures unveiled
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Urchins, recycled ferrous scrap metal, various dimensions (ABC Local (Martin Corben): Kelly-Ann Lees)
Australia's biggest outdoor art exhibition is opening early before heading to Denmark next year following a campaign by Princess Mary.
The Sculpture By The Sea exhibition, which opens in Sydney tomorrow, will feature 107 sculptures from Australia and around the world displayed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk.
It is opening two weeks earlier this year to take advantage of the extra daylight saving hours.
Highlights include a major granite sculpture valued at $250,000 by Japanese artist Keizo Ushio.
Sculpture By The Sea founder David Handley says the current economic crisis may attract even more visitors than usual.
"One of the ideas of Sculpture By The Sea is to put on a major, free-to-the-public event for the people of Sydney," he said.
"I suppose in times of economic hardship - if that's where we're heading - we're here for everyone and free as always.
"But we wouldn't mind asking people to consider donating even a dollar when they come along, because if we only get a dollar from every t10th person that'll help us to help the artists more and to keep going."
Sculpture By The Sea is also branching out internationally with an inaugural exhibition at Aarhus in Denmark next June.
Handley says the expansion of the exhibition overseas will provide new opportunities for Australian artists.
"The Crown Prince [Frederik] and Crown Princess [Mary] of Denmark loved Sculpture By The Sea when they were falling in love I suppose," he said.
"They set ... the wheels in motion to get Sculpture By The Sea over to Denmark.
"It's a beautiful spot and there'll be about 25 Australian sculptors in the show, so it'll be a real boon for Australian sculptors."
