Take a Look: ‘Sculpture Rocks’ Exhibition

TBSSS teacher Christine Crimmins reviews ‘Sculpture Rocks’, a fantastic free exhibition, run by Sculpture by the Sea. The exhibition is in it’s last days - on show until 3 June 2021.

Looking across the sparkling harbour waters of Sydney Harbour to the stunning Opera House, Campbells Cove is presently hosting a wonderful exhibition of sculpture, an exhibition with the fun name of ‘Sculpture Rocks’.

This exhibition by Japanese artists features works mainly in granite and steel. The works call to mind the tranquillity of drystone gardens so much loved in Japan.

Sculptors from Japan have increasingly featured in ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ at Bondi and, in Perth, at Cottesloe. Those organisers have marked this by staging this showing of contemporary Japanese sculpture in such a unique and cultural position at Circular Quay on Sydney Harbour.

There are 17 works in the exhibition in various media, including black, pink and brown granite, basalt, marble, stainless steel, brass and, yes, even eucalyptus.

The works are thoughtfully arranged along the foreshore and boardwalk of beautiful and historic Campbells Cove.

Considerations of the made environment of Campbell Cove and its fascinating history must first acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the first peoples of this area.

Then, in the early days of Sydney Town, the cove became of hub of commerce and shipping. Campbells Cove and Campbells Stores are named after Robert Campbell (1769-1846) a Sydney merchant and a member of the first New South Wales Legislative Council. Campbell's Stores is a rare example of mid-nineteenth-century warehousing in Sydney and the only one of its type remaining on the foreshores of Sydney Cove.

Visitors to ‘Sculpture Rocks’ can appreciate both the historical and modern built environment presently catering to allcomers. The paved cantilevered promenade and boardwalk allow access to views of the heritage, sandstone sea walls and of the jetty. Shipping and rigging provide a real maritime flavour. There are even glimpses to be had of harbour waters gently lapping on the pebbles of the original shoreline.

A lift of the eyes then takes in the magnificence of the Opera House, a stunning shape against the blue sky, and the pylons and under structure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the Information Booth near Campbells Cove Jetty to both QR register and to pick up an exhibition catalogue there.

To find out more about the exhibition, visit the website.

Christine Crimmins.

Image captions: Top image: Keizo Ushio, 'Oushi Zokei'. Middle image, left: Koichi Ogino, 'Camel Country 14', right: Tetsuro Yamasaki, 'Circle - Harmony', Sculpture Rocks, 2021. Photos by Christine Crimmins.