Sculpture by the Sea: Exhibition returns to Cottesloe Beach in March after the event was axed in 2025

Cottesloe is once again the backdrop for bold and contemporary art.

After a year where the foreshore stood noticeably bare, Sculpture by the Sea has returned for its 21st-anniversary exhibition — running from March 6 to 23.

“We’re back from the brink of possibly not being able to do this ever again so it’s wins all round,” David Handley, the exhibition’s founding CEO and artistic director said.

A $700,000 shortfall — the result of a denied four-year investment grant from the Federal Government’s arts body, Creative Australia — forced organisers to axe the 2025 event.

While the long-term future of the exhibition remains uncertain, the immediate outlook is bright.

“The response is one of celebration that the exhibition’s coming back... it’s huge. We’ve seen larger smiles than usual greeting us as we install the sculptures,” Mr Handley said.

“The federal funding that we have is secured for just this year and next year. We’re delighted with that funding and we’ll see what the future holds.”

The 2026 line-up is a powerhouse showcase of 70 artworks. In a strong nod to homegrown talent, WA artists account for half the exhibition.

The remaining works form a global dialogue, with sculptures arriving from Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mr Handley pointed to the sheer vibrancy of this year’s collection.

“We’ve got a lot of colour this year,” he said.

“Every exhibition is different, and as always, people will choose their favourites, often different to each other, and different to their children.”

One sculpture, already tipped as a crowd favourite, is set to take long-time locals on a trip down memory lane.

“A local favourite for people who grew up in Perth in the 50s, 60s and 70s is the ghost of Van Eileen,” Mr Handley said.

“That was a cafe that was at Cottesloe opened late at night where people used to come and get their hamburgers and we’ve got the Ghost of Van Eileen bringing back a lot of memories for a lot of people.”

“Erica Zainos has a beautiful work of five iridescent figures on the sand at Cottesloe Beach,” he said.

“Jason Hirst’s giant love hearts on the beach are fantastic, another very colourful work.”

With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the coast over the next fortnight, the exhibition is set to send Cottesloe into a lively frenzy that was deeply missed in 2025.

“It’s just wonderful how the people of Perth respond to the exhibition,” Mr Handley said.

“On nights where there’s not much breeze people come down in the 10s of 1000s and just wander along the beach, have a swim, get fish and chips, go to the local cafes and restaurants and it’s just a wonderful vibe and buzz.”