The Currumbin beach is alive, with over 60 outdoor exhibits stretching across the famous Gold Coast beaches. Starting today, September 6 and running until September 15, the Swell Sculpture Festival is Queensland’s largest open-air art show.
Backed by the Queensland State Government and the Gold Coast City Council, “there is literally nothing quite like it anywhere in the world,” according to Tom Tate, the Gold Coast’s colourful mayor. And according to Natasha Edwards, 2024 promises to be the show’s “come of age”.
Ms Edwards is the co-founder and artistic director of the festival, which is now celebrating its 22nd year – and after shaking off the cobwebs from a few Covid-impacted years, the show is now boasting record entrant levels and attendances on the sandy beaches.
Today, Wood Central spoke to Dave Hickson, a talented sculptor from Northern Rivers in NSW, who is the recipient of the prestigious Julian Beaumont Sculpture Prize and works out of his studio in Ocean Shores.
He is renowned for using sculpture, photography and drawing to research concepts expressed in figuration and abstraction.
This year, his entry is “The Last Pied Oyster Catcher.”
Wood Central: Why “The Last Pied Oyster Catcher”?
Dave Hickson: According to NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, fewer than 200 breeding pairs of pied oystercatchers are estimated in NSW, facing multiple threats. The conservation project aims to keep predator numbers low, protect their habitat, reduce recreational impact, and install signage at major nesting sites. ‘The Last Pied Oyster Catcher’ aims to bring attention to this concern and the potential loss of this incredible bird from the South East of Australia.
Wood Central: How is it constructed?
Dave Hickson: It is made out of recycled/reclaimed wood from the local tip or from old wood I had lying around the house. There is some metal for the feet, a frame inside and an old bed base in that goes under the sand. I did buy a couple of new pieces of metal for the legs – but all the rest of the metal is from scrap.
Wood Central: Can you describe your creative process from concept to completion?
Dave Hickson: It often involves being in nature or the environment, more generally, taking photos or drawing. Then, making a series of exploratory drawings, then working with collage or cardboard to refine dimensions and composition. Sourcing materials and constructing a final piece, whether it is in wood, metal, clay, or mixed media, is a similar process.
Wood Central: Where do you look for inspiration? What themes do you find most interesting?
Dave Hickson: Nature, society, the human condition.
What role does location or environment play in your sculptures?
It plays a huge role. The environment and a sense of place is key to most of my works.
Wood Central: How do you feel when you see people interacting with your sculptures?
Dave Hickson: Love it. Feels great to give people a smile or a little bit of joy.
Wood Central: Describe your dream project.
Dave Hickson: To make a jungle gym for adults. I saw an installation in Mexico City many years ago – which was a large gridded climbing frame – that was designed as a space for people to climb and then sit somewhere in the grid and have a conversation. I think we all need to take time out to talk to each other. I would do it a bit differently, but I like the concept. I would also like to make portraits of people who struggle with different abilities and install them as public sculptures or as murals.
