Sculpture by the Sea Makes Triumphant Return to Cottesloe Beach After 2025 Hiatus
Cottesloe Beach is once again transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery as Sculpture by the Sea returns for its 21st anniversary exhibition, running from March 6 to 23, 2026. This marks a significant comeback after the event was axed in 2025 due to a critical funding shortfall, leaving the foreshore notably bare last year.
From the Brink of Collapse to a Celebrated Comeback
David Handley, the founding CEO and artistic director of Sculpture by the Sea, expressed immense relief and joy at the exhibition's return. "We're back from the brink of possibly not being able to do this ever again so it's wins all round," he said. The 2025 cancellation was forced by a $700,000 shortfall, resulting from a denied four-year investment grant from Creative Australia, the Federal Government's arts body.
While the long-term future of the exhibition remains uncertain, with federal funding secured only for 2026 and 2027, the immediate outlook is exceptionally bright. "The response is one of celebration that the exhibition's coming back... it's huge. We've seen larger smiles than usual greeting us as we install the sculptures," Mr Handley noted.
A Powerhouse Showcase of 70 Artworks with Global Flair
The 2026 line-up is a robust collection of 70 artworks, emphasizing both local talent and international dialogue. In a strong nod to homegrown creativity, Western Australian artists account for half of the exhibition. The remaining sculptures form a global conversation, with contributions from countries including:
- Canada
- Denmark
- India
- Iraq
- Italy
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Mr Handley highlighted the sheer vibrancy of this year's collection, stating, "We've got a lot of colour this year. Every exhibition is different, and as always, people will choose their favourites, often different to each other, and different to their children."
Notable Sculptures and Nostalgic Highlights
Among the standout pieces, several are already generating buzz. One sculpture, tipped as a crowd favourite, is set to evoke nostalgia for long-time Perth residents. "A local favourite for people who grew up in Perth in the 50s, 60s and 70s is the ghost of Van Eileen," Mr Handley explained. "That was a cafe that was at Cottesloe opened late at night where people used to come and get their hamburgers and we've got the Ghost of Van Eileen bringing back a lot of memories for a lot of people."
Other highlighted works include:
- Erica Zainoon's "ART (Artificial Real Time)," featuring five iridescent figures on the sand.
- Jason Hirst's giant love hearts on the beach, described as "fantastic" and very colourful.
- Anton Lord's "Golden Fields" and Stephen Tepper's "Suddenly Everything's Changed."
- Jonathan Rockefeller's "Reef Reverie" and Kaoru Matsumoto's "Cycle-90° 'Wind of the Sea' (2024)."
Revitalising Cottesloe with a Lively Frenzy
With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected over the next fortnight, the exhibition is set to inject Cottesloe with a lively energy that was deeply missed in 2025. Mr Handley praised the Perth community's enthusiastic response: "It's just wonderful how the people of Perth respond to the exhibition. On nights where there's not much breeze people come down in the 10s of 1000s and just wander along the beach, have a swim, get fish and chips, go to the local cafes and restaurants and it's just a wonderful vibe and buzz."
This return not only celebrates art but also revitalises local tourism and community spirit, marking a pivotal moment for Perth's cultural landscape.
