17 Oct 2025
SCULPTURE BY THE SEA, BONDI OFFICIALLY OPENS AS JAMES ROGERS IS ANNOUNCED AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE $70,000 AQUALAND SCULPTURE AWARD
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi has opened following a ceremony at Marks Park this morning. The world’s largest free to the public outdoor sculpture exhibition is once again transforming the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, with over 90 sculptures by artists from 13 different countries, including Japan, Denmark, China and India. This year there are 36 artists exhibiting in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi for the first time, with 64 Australian artists in the exhibition.
James Rogers has been announced as the recipient of the $70,000 Aqualand Sculpture Award for his sculpture Siren’s Song. James Rogers is based in Walcha, NSW and is recognised as one of Australia’s pre-eminent sculptors. He has previously exhibited in Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 20 times, including in the very first exhibition in 1997.
James Rogers said: “I’m delighted to be this year’s recipient of the Aqualand Sculpture Award. Having worked with the Sculpture by the Sea team for many years now it really means a lot to me to be recognised in this way."
Aqualand Group Managing Director, Jin Lin, said: “We believe there is a deeply rooted synergy between creativity and vibrant communities. As such, celebrating Australia’s exceptional artistic talent is very important to Aqualand, as a company and as individuals. We applaud David Handley, and his entire team, for once again curating another spectacular showcase of artistic excellence at the 27th Bondi exhibition. We remain extremely proud of our support of the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition and we congratulate James Rogers on his award-winning sculpture Siren Song."
David Handley, Founding CEO and Artistic Director said: “It is wonderful to stage this year’s exhibition for over 90 artists from around the world, after two years living on the edge without Federal arts funding. Thank you to all of our sponsors, the members of the public who donated, the NSW government and Aqualand our Principal Sponsor for ten years for joining us to set the stage for the artists to play upon. That the artists return year after year is a testament to how important this exhibition is to them. It would be wonderful if the Federal government recognised this and supported the artists and our not for profit organisation in putting on the exhibition as a free to the public event.”
The opening ceremony also saw the announcement that WA artist Jina Lee as the recipient of the Waverley Council Mayor’s Award of $10,000 for her artwork i.
In its 27th exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea is delighted to welcome esteemed Australian artist Tim Storrier AM to the exhibition for the first time. Tim Storrier’s artwork Splotcher will be joined by Ways of Seeing, a large kaleidoscope from artists Lucy Barker & Jane Gillings. Lucy and Jane have both exhibited individually at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi over ten times and they are the joint recipients of the Deepal Australia Artist Award. Drew McDonald, who received both the People’s and Kid’s Choice Awards in 2024 has returned this year, as has the 2024 recipient of the Aqualand Sculpture Award, Shen Lieyi from China.
Japanese artist Keizo Ushio celebrates exhibiting in his 25th Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in a row. Keizo is part of the Double Decade Club which recognises the small number of artists who have been in the exhibition 20 times or more. Six other Double Decade Club members will exhibit this year; Ron Gomboc, Orest Keywan, Stephen King, Michael le Grand, James Rogers and Philip Spelman.
The Decade Club is for artists who have taken part in the exhibition 10 times or more and this year, Sculpture by the Sea welcomes two Japanese artists to the Club, Koichi Ogino and Haruyuki Uchida.
Other highlights of the exhibition include this year’s Helen Lempriere Scholarship recipients, Angela Valamanesh ($35,000; SA), Ayako Saito ($30,000; NSW) and Nicholas Burridge ($25,000; VIC) as well as the Transfield Australian Invited Artists Rosalind Lemoh (NSW) and Ron Robertson Swann OAM (NSW), who each receive $15,000. In addition, Kasane Low from NSW and Sophie Dumaresq from ACT both receive $15,000 as Clitheroe Foundation Emerging Sculptor Mentor Program recipients.
The NRMA Insurance Artist Subsidy Program sees $20,000 shared amongst four sculptors: Ross Asselstine (USA), Yi Cui (China), Kasane Low (NSW) and Dale Miles (NSW).
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi is funded by corporate sponsors led by Principal Sponsor Aqualand, the NSW government through Create NSW and Destination and donations from the people of Sydney.
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi runs until Monday 3 November 2025. For more information about Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi please contact:
Jillian Heggie | 0434 618 555 | E: jillian@nixco.com.au
Elizabeth Noonan | 0459 656 986 | E: elizabeth@nixco.com.au