There are some stories that are an absolute joy to share, and this is certainly one of them! Our very own Harrie Fasher has taken out the prestigious Aqualand Sculpture Award at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2026, and what an extraordinary achievement it is!
For those who know Harrie, her incredible creativity, determination and ability to turn the most ambitious ideas into remarkable works of art will come as no surprise. But seeing her recognised with one of Australia’s most significant sculpture awards, which also carries a substantial cash prize, is something truly special and certainly worth celebrating!
Harrie received the exhibition’s major award for *Unveiling the Edges of the Sky*, a magnificent handmade sculpture crafted from steel and bronze, standing an impressive six metres tall and five metres long. The large-scale figurative and abstract work is a wonderful example of the imagination, skill and sheer determination that goes into creating something of this magnitude.
And while Harrie’s achievement is more than enough reason to celebrate, there is even more exciting news coming from her Portland-based studio!
Fellow artist David Doyle was named the inaugural recipient of the NRMA Insurance Indigenous Artist Program, which provides financial support for an Indigenous artist to create and present an ambitious new sculpture at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.
David’s winning work also came out of Harrie’s studio, making this a remarkable double achievement and a wonderful testament to the extraordinary creativity, collaboration and artistic talent being nurtured right here in our region.
This is Harrie’s sixth appearance at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, and she is certainly no stranger to major recognition, having previously received the major award at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe in Western Australia.
Speaking about her latest achievement, Harrie was quick to acknowledge the people around her and the collective effort involved in bringing her sculpture to life.
“Women make courageous work; I’d like to dedicate this prize to the women of this world – to the artists, the women who work tirelessly to bring this show to life and women who continue to keep the world turning. I’m honoured to work alongside a magical team, it was a community effort to bring this sculpture to life and I’m humbled by the trust and support my studio engenders.”
It’s a beautiful acknowledgement of the people behind the scenes, and a reminder that while the finished sculpture might carry one artist’s name, creating something so extraordinary often involves many talented hands.
Harrie was also selected alongside fellow NSW artist James Rogers for the Transfield Australian Invited Artist Program, adding yet another achievement to an already remarkable exhibition.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi features 100 artworks along the spectacular two-kilometre coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama, with more than 450,000 visitors expected across the 18-day exhibition.
But perhaps what makes this story so special is knowing where it all begins. Not in a major metropolitan arts precinct, but in a studio in Portland, where Harrie and her team continue to create, collaborate and produce work that stands alongside some of the very best in the world.
A huge congratulations to Harrie, David and everyone involved. What an absolutely fantastic achievement for two talented artists, one extraordinary studio and our entire region. We couldn’t be prouder!
Image credit – Sculptures By The Sea official website
