The artsCape Biennial Sculpture Prize was awarded to NSW artists Dominique Sutton (Eureka) and Sasha Reid (Sydney) for Melt, a series of wooden boats stranded in trees. They receive a $2000 cash prize and a painting donated by major Australian artist Ken Johnson. Photo Louise Beaumont www.louisebeaumont.com

At least 200 people crowded out the Byron Beach Café for the VIP Post-Opening function of artsCape Biennial 2010.

ArtsCape is an outdoor exhibition of sculpture situated within the beachside parklands of Byron Bay. Running until July 11, it has attracted more than 65 Australian and international artists whose works sought to convey messages about the environment and sustainability. Earlier on at the Beach Hotel before around 300 people Chairman Robert Bleakley had officially launched the exhibition and announced the prizes. The Sculpture Prize went to NSW artists Dominique Sutton and Sasha Reid for ‘Melt’, a series of wooden boats stranded in trees.

At the Beach Café artists, sponsors and ambassadors mingled over drinks in an atmosphere of celebration. Founders of the inaugural event at Cape Byron five years ago and curators of the current one Merran Morrison and Rebecca Townsend told The Echo that they were ‘ecstatic’.

‘It’s been better than I could have expected’,  said Merran,  ‘and I just hope that everyone in town wants it to be ongoing. The great thing is the connection between the visiting artists and the local community.’

Rebecca said, ‘Having international artists really lifts this show’s calibre. Local artists really benefit by rubbing shoulders and networking with them. The great thing about Byron is that we’ve had amazing support with accommodation – most of the artists are staying here for free.’

Owner of the Byron Beach Café and artsCape committee member Ben Kirkwood gave a rousing speech, chiefly acknowledging the support and dedication of the organisers.  ‘When I was asked to join the organising committee of this event, I saw how well it could integrate into the beachscape of Byron Bay.

‘Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see what I’ve seen over the last two days...The excitement and enthusiasms that artsCape has generated throughout the community, the enjoyment and positive  feedback have been palpable and infectious.’

It would have been difficult for the event to fail given the spectacular backdrop of ocean before which the walkway winds. Flora and fauna, marine conservation, water, air quality, the land and indigenous culture are all represented quirkily, movingly, disturbingly, surprisingly and mysteriously – be they John Dahlsen’s extraordinary uprooted tree or the ‘theatre’ of camphor wood by Syrian sculptor Usama Alnassar. A circle of polished wood looking like the  bones of prehistoric animals inviting you to sit, it was, Usama told The Echo, ‘made as a theatre because the theatre is the best place to talk and the best place to listen... I used this wood [camphor] because it represents a part of culture that’s disappearing from the land, like Roman and Greek theatres have disappeared.’ 

Usama has a theatre made out of marble at his atelier in Carraro, Italy, where he teaches marble and bronze sculpting.  ‘It’s a symbolic theatre and a real theatre,’ he said. ‘Art remains as a testimonial of the age in general.’

A complementary indoor exhibition is being held at Retrospect Galleries in Byron Bay which, according to Christopher Dean who has visited many such ones around the globe, ‘is one of the strongest and best collections of small sculptures in the world. There’s some really great stuff.’

ArtsCape runs until July 11 when the Beach Hotel’s People’s Choice Prize will be announced to award the artist whose work receives the most votes by the public.

ArtsCape has committed five per cent of all sculpture sales from the 2010 event to the Northern Rivers Community Foundation, a philanthropic foundation which supports social, environmental and cultural projects. Local resident Warren Taylor said he believed that every year Council should  purchase the People’s Choice sculpture and gradually build up a collection to grace the beachside space  – ‘these will only increase in value’,  he said.

Contributing artist Christina Khumari  concurred.  ‘When I look at that pathway I think what a waste – [the exhibition] really brings the park alive. They must keep it going, even if it’s just building on a collection.’