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Sculpture by the Sea Returns to Cottesloe Beach After 2025 Cancellation

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Sculpture by the Sea Exhibition Returns for 21st Year

The Sculpture by the Sea exhibition has returned to Cottesloe Beach for its 21st year, running from March 6 to March 23. This year's event follows the cancellation of the 2025 exhibition due to a funding shortfall. That shortfall resulted from a denied investment grant and a subsequent funding cut from the federal arts agency Creative Australia. New funding sources have enabled the event to proceed for the current year and for 2027.

Exhibition Highlights

The 2026 exhibition features 70 artworks displayed along Cottesloe Beach. Half of these pieces are by Western Australian artists. The remaining artworks are contributed by artists from various countries, including Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This year marks the first time 15 artists are exhibiting their work at the event. The exhibition is expected to attract over 200,000 visitors.

Funding and Future Outlook

The cancellation of the 2025 exhibition was attributed to a $700,000 funding shortfall.

The current and upcoming year's exhibitions have been made possible by a new grant of $750,000 through Austrade, combined with a state government contribution.
David Handley, the exhibition's founding CEO and artistic director, stated that public support following the cancellation assisted in securing political, corporate, and private funding. Federal funding is reportedly secured for the present year and the next.

Featured Artworks and Artists

Notable sculptures and artists participating in the 2026 event include:

  • "ART (Artificial Real Time)" by architect Erica Zaino, which incorporates an augmented reality feature and aims to prompt questions about artificial intelligence in art.
  • "Ghost of Van Eileen," a sculpture noted by organizers.
  • Dr. Subodh Kerkar from India, serving as the Invited International Artist, presenting a performance installation titled 'Oceans and Civilisations'.
  • Karla Hart, a Noongar woman selected as the Invited Aboriginal Artist, leading a performance artwork with a Noongar women's dance group.

Of the international contributions, 11 artworks are from Japan and five are from India. David Handley commented on the collection's diverse appeal and use of color.