Are you going to miss the big fried egg on Tamarama beach, the mosaic-covered combi at McKenzies and the gossipy old paling fence in Mark’s Park?

If you don't make it to the Bondi coastline soon, you’re in danger of Sculptures by the Sea withdrawal. Some symptoms may include stroking rocks and murmuring about the play of shadow and light on a lifeguard’s Speedos.

Sculptor Vaclav Fiala won’t be worrying about Speedos back in his native Czech Republic, but he will be enjoying the afterglow of his $30,000 Lexus Prize for Sculpture. Fiala took away the top prize for the second year running, this time for his elegant, hard wood creation chapel. Inspired by the Australian bush, chapel won praise for its clean lines and structural integrity.

“There’s no doubt that it’s one of my favourite pieces in the show”, said exhibition Director David Handley. “I love the simplicity and the majesty of it. I like to think of it as a chapel for one.” David added that the decision to honour Fiala twice in a row was “controversial” for an organization that like to share the money round.

Including Fiala, 12 artists scooped up a total of $115,000 in prizes and grants in this year’s exhibition. That’s a huge increase on the $15,000 prize money the event attracted when it opened as a one day festival nine years ago. Since its inception Sculptures by the Sea has grown into the largest, free to the public, outdoor exhibition of contemporary sculpture in Australia.

This year, over 100 sculptors from around the world staged their work along the breathtaking, twisty Bondi to Tamarama coastline. More than 400,000 visitors oohed, aahed and scratched their sunburnt scalps at exhibits that ranged from the classic to the quirky to the avante garde.

From Jane Becker’s surreal and sublime piece my queer house (winner of the Art Gallery of NSW Prize) to Sasha Reid’s “noble and absurd” I, walrus, this year’s collection was thought-provoking, fun and innovative.

Sculptures is an iconic event that brings together a walrus, an oversized recliner and a giant wave in a way that Sea World can only dream of. Check it out now!

AWARD WINNERS

Award Awarded to
Lexus Prize for Sculpture - Vaclav Fiala, Czech Republic
Sydney Water Environmental Sculpture Prize - Tommy Pershall, USA
Kodak Sculpture Prize - Denise Hume, NSW
SMH Represented Sculptor Award - Jim Croke,NSW
Icebergs Signature Prize - Jacqueline Campbell, NSW
Art Gallery of NSW Prize - Jane Becker, NSW
Australian Unrepresented Sculptor Award 2005 - Mandy Francis, NSW
The Damon Courtenay Memorial Young Sculptor’s Prize - Jason Waterhouse, VIC
The AGNSW Society Taskforce Site Specific Award - Sandra Pitkin, NSW
The Director’s Prize – Bondi 2005 - Jarrod Taylor, NSW
The Allens Arthur Robinson People’s Choice Prize
Votes collected throughout the exhibition. Awarded at the People’s choice prize presentation on 20/11.
The Kid’s Choice Award
Votes collected throughout the exhibition. Awarded at the People’s choice prize presentation on 20/11.