Sculpture by the Sea organisers invite expressions of interest to host event after stoush

Organisers for the hugely popular Sculptures by the Sea has invited coastal councils across the country to express their interest in hosting the event after a falling out with the founding director and Waverely Council.

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Sculpture by the Sea is set to depart Bondi, with organisers inviting other councils in coastal Sydney and across Australia to express interest in being considered as the new host from next year.

A falling out as spectacular as the clifftop site itself has driven a wedge between Sculpture by the Sea founding director David Handley and Waverley Council.

Handley has accused the council of failing to support the 23-year-old event that brings 450,000 visitors and $11 million into the municipality every year.

Founding director of Sculpture by the Sea David Handley (middle), pictured with artists, has accused Waverley Council of not supporting the popular event. Picture: Tim Hunter.

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Council has begun construction of a concrete pathway Handley said will destroy Sculpture by the Sea, and expose safety issues.

“I can’t see the exhibition happening again if this path is built as planned,” he said.

“By taking eight to 10 prime sites for Sculpture by the Sea, you’re ripping the guts out of the exhibition.

“It is too late to cancel for 2019, although nine sculptures will no longer be able to be ­exhibited and 12 will be greatly compromised.”

The council has started constructing a concrete pathway that the creator claims will destroy Sculpture by the Sea.

Artists had already spent thousands of dollars on their works for this year’s show which opens on October 24.

The pathway to increase disabled access is being built on the Marks Park ridgetop where many of the best sculptures each year command breathtaking locations looking out over the ocean. The ­pathway will force sculptures to be located as much as 10m back into the park, reducing their impact and diminishing the entire exhibition, Handley said.

“We have letters from 180 artists from 24 countries around the world attesting to the devastating impact this path will have on Sculpture by the Sea,” he said.

Construction for Sculpture by the Sea has started but it could be the last year it’s at Bondi. Picture: Tim Hunter

Bulldozers are now digging up the ground for the 1.8m wide path.

Waverley councillor Sally Betts said there had been a lack of consultation on the pathway. She said councillors were “misled because we were told Sculpture by the Sea was happy with the design. Council officers told us that”.

A council spokesman said council did not accept Sculpture by the Sea’s assertion that the pathway will ruin the event.

The spokesman said council had had “significant contact” with Sculpture by the Sea about the park upgrade and their feedback helped shape the plans.