Sculpture by the Sea is one of Sydney’s premier springtime activities, turning the iconic Bondi to Tamarama cliff walk into a string of site-specific art installations.
The trailing outdoor gallery, which has a front-row seat to sprawling Pacific Ocean views, celebrates its 30th birthday this year, kicking off on October 16 and running until November 2.
The first Bondi Sculpture by the Sea was in 1997, featuring 63 sculptures spread along the Bondi coastal walk. Unlike today’s two-week-long affair, the exhibition was installed, staged and de-installed in one day.
In 2026, the sculpture walk will feature upwards of 100 works by artists from across the world, propped up along the two-kilometre walk.
Each year, Sculpture by the Sea invites a small panel of distinguished guests to judge the artists’ submissions and select the sculptures that will be included in the upcoming exhibition.
This year the judges include Curator of Chinese Art at the Art Gallery of NSW, Yin Cao; former Senior Curator, Sculpture & Glass at the National Gallery of Victoria, Geoffrey Edwards; Head of Art History and Theory at the National Art School, Dr Michael Hill; and Independent Public Art Curator, Nicola Vance.
Read on to get a sneak peek at some of the featured sculptures, plus everything you need to know about Sculpture by the Sea 2026.
Sculpture by the Sea 2026 guide
Who will be featured at this year’s Sculpture by the Sea?
Although the Sculpture by the Sea lineup is usually kept under wraps, some artists have taken to social media to share their excitement about being selected, giving us a sneak peek at what to expect along this year’s art walk.
Paul Ewart, Both Sides Now
Journalist and LGBTQIA+ artist Paul Ewart’s work will feature on this year’s art walk. He took to Instagram to share his excitement, stating, “I’m bringing my first large-scale outdoor artwork, Both Sides Now, to Sculpture by the Sea this October.”
If you’ve followed my work, you know I’ve been obsessed with the two-faced Roman god, Janus, for a few years now – exploring how we see each other, how we view ‘the other,’ and where empathy fits into an increasingly polarized world.
This piece takes elements from several of my smaller ceramic sculptures and pulls them together on a massive scale.
Its mirrored steel facets will sit right on the coastal walk, reflecting the ocean, the sky, and everyone who passes by.”
Ewart told City Hub that his piece tackles “the erosion of the middle ground and the tightening grip of ideological polarisation”.
He hopes that people will see their reflection in the artwork, as well as the people around them and the landscape, forcing a moment of shared reflection and making the viewer question, “Can we still hold space for nuance, empathy, and opposing truths?”
Julian Pereira, Atlas (The Endurer)
Julian Pereira collaborated with fellow Sydney artist David Da Costa Enes to create The Thinker for Sculpture by the Sea 2024. The talented duo have joined forces once again to create the next sculpture in their series, titled Atlas (The Endurer).
Pereira wrote on his Instagram that this sculpture “reimagines the Greek Titan as a modern dad carrying a pram.”
“It is inspired by something you see all the time along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk: parents and carers carrying kids and prams up and down the stairs because there is no accessible way through.”
There’s also a personal angle for Pereira, who uses a wheelchair:
“I know what it feels like when stairs decide where you can and cannot go. David knows what it is like trying to move through the world with a pram. Atlas brings those experiences together and asks a pretty simple question:
Who carries the burden when public spaces are not designed for everyone?”
Nathan Don, The World’s Greatest Grain of Sand
Nathan Don will exhibit a single grain of sand at Sculpture by the Sea 2026. Yes, you read that right: just minutes from beaches covered in gazillions of granules, he’ll be putting one solitary grain on display inside a 20-foot shipping container.
The artwork is titled The World’s Greatest Grain Of Sand.
It’s another work in the 32-year-old artist’s series “Procrastinatedon”, aka art he makes when he is procrastinating running his brand studio HandToMouse.
In 2024, Don painted a four-kilometre line along the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, which was reported as a hazard and repainted by the council, before being absorbed into official maintenance.
Don’s website states, “The work is considered complete when the original line cannot be distinguished from the maintenance.”
Two years later, Don’s tongue-in-cheek work is back. He refuses to say exactly why this piece of sand deserves this fanfare, but states on his website,
“The grain will be returned to the beach at the close of exhibition. The location of return will not be the location of origin. The grain will not be marked. The work is considered complete when the grain cannot be re-identified.”
He described to City Hub what viewers can expect of the artwork, stating, “Gilded frame, glass, velvet, proper lighting, brass stanchions, brass sign,” said Nathan. “Everything a masterpiece is entitled to. Entry is five cents, and you get fifteen seconds inside. That is plenty.”
The best Sculpture by the Sea route
Issues in the past almost always revolve around how the cliffs have been shaped by weather conditions in the month prior. In 2025, the coastal walk suffered from a rock fall which slightly changed the route.
Pre-planning your route is important for Sculpture by the Sea because the crowds can be thick, the weather can be sweaty, and the prams can be plentiful.
You want your walk to be enjoyable, not feel like a New Yorker trying to dodge the crowds at Times Square while the sun scorches down on you. You should check the online map before deciding on the best Sculpture by the Sea starting point for you.
Also, don’t forget the Sculpture Inside gallery that pops up each year in Marks Park, showcasing even more artists with a preference towards smaller pieces. You’ll also find accessible toilets in the covered pavilion.
How to get to Sculpture by the Sea
First and foremost, opt for public transport. If you’re coming from the city, catch the 333 bus or the 380 bus from Circular Quay, Martin Place or Town Hall.
Alternatively, you can catch the T4 Eastern Suburbs train to Bondi Junction and catch a direct bus from there to the beach.
Event organisers suggest you leave the car at home, given parking in Bondi is limited, and it’ll be difficult to find a parking spot in the area.
There are normally special event clearway parking restrictions in place along Bondi Rd to facilitate extra bus services. If you absolutely must drive, make sure to prebook parking on side streets via Waverley Council.
What is the best time to go to Sculpture by the Sea?
The best time to visit Sculpture by the Sea to avoid crowds is on a weekday, in the early morning. Sunrise is not as busy as sunset, so you’ll want to wake up early if you really want to avoid the crowds and enjoy your happy snaps with fewer people milling about the sculptures.
Consider arriving slightly before or after peak hours (11am-3pm). A lot of people will hang around for golden hour during sunrise, but at least the crowds won’t be as thick with a clash of tourists and locals.
Sculpture by the Sea Audio Tours
The sculptures may look pretty set against various perspectives of the ocean, but you won’t be making the most of your visit to Sculpture by the Sea if you don’t actually know what you’re looking at.
Make sure you download the free Sculpture by the Sea app before your visit. It’ll help you plan with easier navigation while also using location tracking to teach you about every sculpture on display.
As to what sculptures are on display this year, you’ll have to wait for more information to be released in the coming weeks. Sydney Travel Guide will be updating this piece when more is known.
Sculpture by the Sea
Where: Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk and Marks Park.
When: October 16-November 2.
Price: Free.
