First Look: Sculpture by the Sea’s Colourful and Challenging 2025 Exhibition

Photo: Declan Blackall

The 27th edition of Sculpture by the Sea almost didn’t go ahead. Thankfully, it did – and photographer Declan Blackall was there to capture it all.

Words by Lucy Bell Bird · Updated on 17 Oct 2025 · Published on 17 Oct 2025

Sculpture by the Sea is a stalwart of the Sydney arts calendar. Every year, like clockwork, the exhibition brings inventive, large-scale pieces to the sandy beaches and rugged cliffs along the coastline between Bondi and Tamarama.

The journey hasn’t always been easy. Since its very first exhibition in 1997, staging the exhibition has come with harrowing and often hilarious trials and tribulations.

This year’s exhibition almost didn’t go ahead due to a major budget shortfall, but was thankfully saved by public donations and corporate sponsorship.

The 27th edition of the exhibition is currently on display, featuring a series of playful pieces. There are dolphins leaping out of toasters, a needle piercing the cliffside, a giant kaleidoscope, colourful curvy cages and more.

Sculpture by the Sea runs from Friday October 17 to Monday November 3.

@sculpturebythesea

About the author

Lucy Bell Bird is Broadsheet's national assistant editor.

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