Perth Voice Interactive

THEY say all publicity is good publicity, and Sculpture at Bathers had plenty this week.

It made headlines after renowned Fremantle sculptor Greg James claimed his nude statue of Gaia the Greek was not selected for the exhibition because it was deemed too racy.

Organisers refuted his claim, saying it didn’t reflect the setting as well as other works chosen by their committee.

“He [Greg James] was informed in September he wasn’t getting in,” says S@B artistic director Sandra Murray.

“So why are they doing this right now? It’s so calculated.

“It’s quite distressing when you support an artist and they turn around and do this – he’s been in all our previous events.

“Nudity is not the issue – we’ve got three other nudes in the exhibition – it’s 2025 not 1825!”

Ironically, Murray says one of the most eye-catching works at this year’s S@B is a contemporary nude by Simon Gilby.

“It’s on a little concrete island off the beach at the north end,” Murray says. “It has a sort of phosphorescent glow at night and looks extraordinary.”

She says another striking work is by Tony Davis, outside the WA Shipwrecks Museum.

“It’s absolutely massive – over there metres tall – and made from sleepers and other recycled materials.

“Accompanying it are two steel works by Sculpture at Bathers founder Tony Jones.”

The 59 sculptures will be scattered across Bathers Beach, the grassy foreshore, inside and outside the WA Shipwrecks Museum, and on the path leading to the Whalers Tunnel. All external works will be illuminated at night.

Exhibitors include Richard Aitken, Tim Burns, Ryan Cant, Claire Bailey, Mikaela Castledine and Nic Compton.

S@B started out in 2013 as a grassroots exhibition giving unappreciated WA sculptures a chance to showcase their work.

Murray says over the years it has grown in scale and stature, but it’s no longer financially or logistically possible to display 100 sculptures, so they had to introduce a selection process. This year they had more than 100 submissions. S@B only showcases WA artists.

“We’re very proudly West Australian – our sculptures don’t get enough support in this state,” Murray says.

This year’s Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe was cancelled because of a lack of funding. So does Murray think there is room for both exhibitions to co-exist?

“Artistically, yes, because they [Sculpture by the Sea] also have interstate and international artists,” she says. “But in an ideal world it would be good if the exhibitions alternated.

“We didn’t run in 2024 because of a lack of funding and have pushed our exhibition back to April when it’s cooler and less windy. Sculpture by the Sea is usually held in March.”

Murray says S@B is a small not-for-profit that relies on philanthropy, donations and funding from the state government and the City of Fremantle.

“The Australian Culture Fund has been very beneficial for us,” she says.

“We run the exhibition on a shoe string; there are lots of arts professionals involved but most of them are doing it on a voluntary basis. It’s not a sustainable model.”

Despite the media furore and on-going funding issues, Murray says this year’s S@B is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

“The exhibition combines the friendly vibe of the beach with high quality sculptures by over 55 of WA’s most innovative and exciting artists,” she says.

Sculptures at Bathers is on from April 4-21 in Fremantle. For more info and the full catalogue see sculptureatbathers.com.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK