As if you need another reason to visit the Great Ocean Road. It’s always splendid. Currently though, Lorne is “on show” – the 2016 Sculpture Biennale – a sculpture trail in the midst of that magnificent surfside setting.

Waking up in Lorne, I looked out from by bedroom window and sprinted down the hill to capture that sunrise. I wasn’t on my own. Several early-risers were there, like me, absorbing the beauty and colours. Surfers were up, keen to get the best start to the day. Magic!

The first Lorne Sculpture exhibition was held in 2007, initiated by the Friends of Lorne Arts, whose dream was to stage a world-class exhibition along their picturesque foreshore. They succeeded – and more! It was an adventurous stroll for us, from the Lorne Pier, along the beach, ending up in a delightful ‘coffee time’ setting by the river. There are over 100 works, as well as a hall of marquettes, in the exhibition (I don’t have the artists’ names, but hope you’ll enjoy these samplings).

Further around the coast road, 17 kms away at Wye River, there were more sculptures. These commemorated the Christmas Day 2015 bushfires that swept through this small town, Separation Creek and surrounding bushland. 116 homes were destroyed. The devastated community, with support from Creative Victoria, gathered debris and found
objects from the aftermath of the fires. Melbourne-based artist Shoso Shimbo created these powerful sculptures on the sand.

Aaaaah Lorne………

© tPRo/Pamela Reid