Artists are invited to be creatively brave, bold and daring when applying to be a part of SWELL 2026, Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition taking place at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast.
SWELL is a ten-day manifestation of concepts and visual commentary, and presents small, medium and large-scale sculpture, installations, and digital works as a FREE outdoor gallery at Currumbin Beach, 11 – 20 September 2026.
ARTISTS from across Australia and the world working in all mediums are invited to submit. SWELL welcomes the opportunity to work with artists who are keen to break new ground in sculpture presentation and installation art. Works can be site-specific, display ephemeral qualities and should invite dialogue and instigate inspired conversations through craftsmanship, kinetics, message or artistic quirkiness.
SWELL is a visually stimulating platform for artists to showcase traditional and contemporary sculpture as well as installation works on a national stage. Highlights include a major $15,000 award with the award pool totalling more than $40k.
The SWELL experience continues for artists with opportune moments to meet distinguished international, national and local artists as well as industry networking and profiling. There are opportunities to participate in artists talks, both casual and formal, host workshops and the potential to sell works.
Entries are welcome from professional, mid-career and emerging artists – submit online by January 31, 2026 at https://www.swellsculpture.com.au/artist-applications-swell-2026/
Image credits in order:
‘Dreamrider’ by Michael Brown, Image by Leximagery
‘What Doesn’t Kill You, Mutates and Tries Again’ by Amanda Stuart & Renee Coombe, Image by Leximagery
‘No Colour in War’ by Emryn Ingram-Shute, Image by Ravel
‘Daydream’ by Claudia Hickel, Image by Leximagery
‘Hello Cockies!’ by Julie M Milton, Image by Ravel
For more information click here
