Sculpture by the Sea Makes Triumphant Return to Perth with Massive Visitor Turnout
The iconic Sculpture by the Sea exhibition has made a spectacular return to Cottesloe Beach in Perth, drawing an estimated 230,000 visitors over its run. This marks a heartwarming comeback after the event was cancelled in 2025 due to funding issues, reaffirming its status as one of Western Australia's most cherished cultural attractions.
Prestigious Awards Celebrate Artistic Excellence
During the award ceremony held on Sunday afternoon against the stunning backdrop of Cottesloe's glistening waters, several artists were honored for their outstanding contributions. The EY People's Choice Award was presented to renowned artist Tim Storrier for his sculpture titled Emperor of the Albrolhos. Storrier, an Archibald Prize-winning painter and sculptor, has works displayed in prestigious institutions worldwide including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Louvre in Paris, and the Tate in London.
The Kids' Choice Prize, valued at $2,000, was awarded to New South Wales artist Drew McDonald for his sculpture SOMA. McDonald described the recognition as a "huge compliment" and expressed regret at not being able to attend in person due to an upcoming artist residency in Berlin. "Thank you all again. I really appreciate all of you and this award," he said in a statement.
Local Western Australian artists also received significant recognition. Jason Hirst claimed the Artist's Choice Award for his work Love U, while fellow West Aussie Vaughn Bisschops earned the Staff Pick for his sculpture Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing Ever Happens.
Financial Challenges and Uncertain Future
Despite the exhibition's overwhelming popularity, its long-term viability remains precarious. After losing federal funding and cancelling the 2025 event, organizers have secured a new funding model that keeps the $2.7 million exhibition running for now. Currently, half of the funding comes from Austrade and the State Government, with the remainder sourced from sponsors, private donors, artwork sales, merchandise, and small public contributions typically around $5 per visitor.
Those visitor donations are projected to raise approximately $80,000 this year. However, the event's future is only secured until 2027, creating ongoing uncertainty for organizers and artists alike.
Founder David Handley described maintaining the exhibition as a constant balancing act. "Like with anything, the future's not guaranteed," he acknowledged. "You secure funding for two or three years, and then you immediately start working on the next period."
Commitment to Free Public Access
Despite financial pressures, Handley emphasized that Sculpture by the Sea would "never ever" become a ticketed event. "You don't fence off beaches in Australia," he stated firmly. "These exhibitions are intended as gifts to the people of Perth and its visitors."
Handley expressed gratitude for the warm reception from Perth residents, noting that even during setup, organizers received "smiles, recognition and people simply saying thank you for coming back." He believes that in an era of renewed global tensions, the arts should be strengthened rather than sidelined, referencing Winston Churchill's wartime response to proposed arts cuts: "What on earth are we fighting for?"
The renewed government support, according to Handley, "represents Australia as an egalitarian society" where "people from all backgrounds come together for the beach, the art and each other." However, the 2025 cancellation serves as a stark reminder that even widely beloved cultural institutions remain vulnerable to shifting political and financial priorities.
