Swell weaves it all together

The Swell Smalls Gallery opening on Friday evening was a wonderful success. Thank you to The Way of Design gallery on Currumbin Beach for welcoming our guests with champers and nibbles.

I had the opportunity to meet Wendy Johnson – who is a returning artist to #Swell2012. Wendy and Mirra Winni Gaze will present their amazing woven piece called Mother’s Meditation.

It was an eye opener listening to Wendy and her photographer discuss the tricks they have learned over the time spent shooting sculpture along the beach. From the perfect times to methods they have used to capture the perfect shot.

Whether you are a guest, are an artist or plan to volunteer – there are so many people who’s experience and skills weave together to make for an exceptional 10 days.  Listen closely to the sounds of the water crashing onto the shore intertwined with the artists performing, absorb the visitors interactions with the sculptures, welcome the interpretation of each piece with an open mind but most of all – enjoy the atmosphere that is Swell Sculpture Festival.

Interactive Sculpture

Last Friday during the DARK NEON site selection I glanced along the beach and noticed an odd addition…a shipping container. It obviously looked out of place but the Swell Sculpture Festival vinyl banner reminded me quickly that Tricia Flanagan’s Preserved Fish had officially arrived.

Today the doors of the container opened up to an absolutely stunning interactive sculpture for the visitors of Swell Sculpture Festival. Tricia was present to introduce many of us to the experience that is Preserved Fish.

When you first enter there is a shipping crate that had a map and various postcards featuring fish. Tricia explained that each of these fish had been caught by fishermen around the world and the artist had enjoyed a meal made with the fish with each of them.

The surprises don’t stop as you go deeper into the shipping container where monitors show footage from the evenings with the fishermen and lead to a final space where drawers feature…

…the BONES from the fish shared during the meals – set in resin!

If you are visiting Swell Sculpture Festival from 14-23 September on Currumbin Beach there are even more surprises in Preserved Fish…I can’t tell you all of them though.

Do more than look at sculpture…experience it at Swell Sculpture Festival.

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