Indian-origin artists are among the prominent participants at this year’s Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, which has returned to Perth’s coastline after a one-year hiatus triggered by funding cuts.
The 21st edition of the exhibition has transformed Cottesloe Beach into a sprawling outdoor gallery, featuring 70 sculptures by artists from eight countries.
Five artists from India are among those represented, led by invited international artist Subodh Kerkar, whose performance installation Oceans and Civilisations explores the cultural and historical connections shaped by maritime exchange. Kerkar has been associated with the exhibition for more than two decades, after initially applying unsuccessfully before eventually becoming a regular participant.
Other Indian artists featured include Ayesha Singh, whose sculptural installation Hybrid Drawing blends architectural and graphic forms, and the late Latika Katt, represented by her work Evolution. Katt, who died in 2025, was widely regarded as one of India’s leading sculptors.
The exhibition also includes works by Indian-Australian artists based in New South Wales. Deepak Kumar presents Garuda: The Silent Flight, inspired by mythological imagery, while Shovin Bhattacharjee exhibits Cosmic Nest, a work exploring natural forms and spatial structures.
The event’s return follows the cancellation of the 2025 edition after funding from Creative Australia was withdrawn. Organisers later secured $750,000 in federal funding through Austrade, along with support from the Western Australian government, enabling the exhibition to proceed this year and next.
Founder and artistic director David Handley said the strong public reaction to last year’s cancellation played a role in restoring support for the event.
Since its launch more than two decades ago, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe has attracted more than 3.7 million visitors and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s largest free outdoor art exhibitions.
By turning the beach and surrounding parkland into a temporary sculpture park each year, the exhibition continues to blend contemporary art with the natural landscape of Western Australia’s coast.
The free exhibition runs from 6 to 23 March, with installations stretching from the sea wall along the sand towards North Cottesloe and across surrounding grassed areas.
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