Between the 15th of February and 2nd of March 2020, a compilation of 89 distinctly West Australian artworks opened to the public for viewing at Bathers Beach and Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle. The iconic coastal location became a hub for artists, volunteers and the community to engage with sculptures through tours, workshops and events run by the small, mainly volunteer-led organisation.

The 2020 S@B exhibition delivered a distinctly West Australian array of sculptures, forming an important connection between the artworks and their location. This emphasis on WA artists aimed to value their art practices and expose their work to the public. For their fourth exhibition, the committee chose to open up applications for artists, and the inclusive approach led to many new, emerging artists becoming involved.

Welcome to Country

Welcome to Country was given by Noongar elder Walter McGuire on the opening night.

The event ‘Karla Nulla Boodja Wardarn: a ceremony honouring Fire, Earth and Sea at Sunset’ was held on Sunday 1 March to celebrate the conclusion of Bruce Abbott’s ‘Seawall Bunker’ ephemeral artwork. It began with a Welcome to Country, and contemporary Indigenous performance, narration, sunset fire lighting and a lantern procession were involved.

Sculptures

There were 89 sculptures in the exhibit, 58 outdoors and 31 in the Kidogo Arthouse, of which 95 artists were involved.

Partners

Host and Principal Partner: City of Fremantle

State Government Support: Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Media Partner: Epigroup

Significant Partners: Bathers Beach House, Little Creatures, Light Application, Turner Design, Fremantle Ports, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, Kidogo Art Institute

Supporting Partners: Vasse Felix, Margaret River, Dadaa, Be. Serviced Apartments, D’Orsogna, Perth Security Services, Twin Fin, HOYTS, WA Shipwrecks Museum, Poolman Taxation Management, Artsource

Volunteers

​​Over 140 volunteers were involved in the 2020 exhibit, with the group consisting of artists, students, and anyone else keen to help out at Sculpture at Bathers. All volunteers were given a crew T-shirt and helped by installing the sculptures, informing the public about the artworks through tours, manning the beach and boardwalks and running workshops.

Artists

95 West Australian artists were involved in the 2020 Sculpture at Bathers. Not only were they involved with the creation of sculptures, but many led ‘walk with the artist’ tours for the public to learn more about the art piece, its process and meaning.

‘Sanctuary’ by Carmela Corvaia was voted for the People’s Choice Award with her intricately woven plant-fibre sculpture.