Flying Fish
Exhibit Title:
Flying Fish
Exhibition Locations:
- Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2015
- Currently housed in a prestigious private collection
Exhibition Dates:
Sculpture by the Sea: October 22, 2015 – November 8, 2015
About the Exhibition:
Flying Fish is a powerful and thought-provoking sculpture that first captivated audiences during the world-renowned Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in 2015. Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of Bondi Beach, this work became an instant highlight, sparking curiosity and reflection among art lovers and environmental enthusiasts alike.
The sculpture explores humanity's complicated and often destructive relationship with animals and nature. Central to its message is the tension between freedom and restriction. This duality is symbolized by a flying fish—an extraordinary creature that has evolved to thrive in its challenging habitat—grappling with a rope that pulls it earthward. The rope serves as a poignant metaphor for human interference, visually representing the constraints we place on wildlife through habitat destruction, climate change, and resource exploitation.
While the flying fish has shown remarkable adaptability in the face of environmental changes, there remains an underlying question: Is this creature triumphantly overcoming its struggles, or is it on the verge of being pulled down, unable to escape humanity’s grasp? The sculpture leaves this question unresolved, compelling viewers to consider both the resilience of nature and the urgent need to protect it before it’s too late.
The piece is constructed in three masterful components:
- The Flying Fish: Made of bronze-painted fiberglass with an internal galvanized steel crossbar, giving it durability and detail.
- The Rope Pole: Crafted from galvanized steel, finished with rust-proof paint and fiberglass cladding to mimic a coiled, weathered rope.
- The Base Coil: A carefully formed, painted fiberglass base that grounds the piece and reinforces the theme of entrapment and restriction.
By placing Flying Fish within the larger context of environmental art, the sculpture challenges viewers to reflect on humanity’s role in shaping—and often disrupting—natural ecosystems. It celebrates the beauty of adaptation but warns of a future where even the most resilient species may run out of places to thrive.
Following its debut at Sculpture by the Sea, Flying Fish earned its place in a private collection where it continues to inspire conversations about conservation, adaptation, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation.
