Ocean Lace

ავტორი

britt mikkelsen

დაბადებული Australia

Britt Mikkelsen: Sculpting Light and Embracing Nature's Fragility

Britt Mikkelsen is an Australian artist whose practice centers around public art installations, sculptural lighting designs, and a profound fascination for the subtle beauty found within natural environments. Born in Perth, Western Australia, her artistic journey began with a deep connection to the coastal landscape—a formative influence that continues to permeate her work today. She holds a Master of Arts (Sculpture) from Curtin University and subsequently honed her skills through residencies at prestigious institutions internationally, fostering collaborations with leading designers and engineers.

Early Influences: Mikkelsen’s artistic vision was shaped by encounters with Japanese Zen gardens and the pioneering work of Louise Bourgeois, artists who championed vulnerability and introspection as core tenets of creative expression.

Material Exploration: Recognizing the inherent contradictions between industrial materials and organic forms, she skillfully combines resins and plastics—often repurposed from manufacturing processes—to reimagine natural subjects. This deliberate juxtaposition underscores a central theme: the fragility of existence amidst technological advancement.

Ocean Lace: A Celebration of Detail

Her most celebrated piece, “Ocean Lace,” exemplifies Mikkelsen’s meticulous approach to artistic creation. Crafted from recycled plastic filaments and illuminated by strategically positioned LED lights, the sculpture captures the intricate patterns formed by seaweed swaying in ocean currents—a microcosm of natural complexity rendered in luminous form. The artwork was awarded the Mandorla Art Award in 2021, cementing its status as a landmark achievement in contemporary Australian sculpture.

Technique: Mikkelsen’s technique involves layering resin filaments with painstaking precision, creating surfaces that appear deceptively delicate despite their robust construction.

Conceptual Depth: The sculpture serves as a poignant commentary on humanity's impact on the environment—a reminder of the beauty and vulnerability inherent in ecosystems threatened by industrial processes.

Public Art Commissions & Collaborations

Mikkelsen’s commitment to transforming public spaces into immersive artistic experiences has resulted in numerous commissions across Western Australia, including installations at Bunbury Regional Art Galleries and Cockburn Central. Notably, she participated in Sculpture By The Sea Perth 2017 and 2018, showcasing her sculptural lighting designs alongside fellow artists—a testament to her collaborative spirit and dedication to engaging audiences with art beyond the confines of traditional galleries.

Notable Projects: Her work includes “The Ripple” at Stirling Gardens, a monumental sculpture reflecting on themes of resilience and transformation

Recognition & Awards

Britt Mikkelsen’s artistic accomplishments have garnered significant acclaim—she was awarded the Helen Lempriere Scholarship for Emerging Artists in 2018 and secured the major prize at the Darlington Sculpture Trail in 2019. Her sculptures are held in private collections worldwide, reflecting her enduring influence on the Australian art landscape.

Source: Stala Contemporary

მუზეუმი

Sculpture by the Sea - Cottesloe

გამოფენილია Perth, Australia

A Coastal Canvas: The Living Art of Cottesloe

To wander along the sun-drenched shoreline of Cottesleoe Beach is to step into a realm where the boundaries between human creativity and the raw, untamed beauty of the Australian coastline dissolve.

Sculpture by the Sea – Cottesloe

is far more than a mere exhibition; it is a seasonal pilgrimage for the soul, an immersive dialogue between the ephemeral nature of art and the enduring rhythm of the tides. Born from a vision of accessibility, this event seeks to strip away the intimidating hushed corridors of traditional galleries, instead placing monumental works directly into the path of the sea breeze and the golden Western Australian light. Here, the salt spray and shifting sands become part of the medium itself, as every year, a fresh array of over seventy artists transforms the coastal walk into a breathtaking open-air gallery.

The history of this coastal phenomenon is one of profound passion and community spirit. While its predecessor in Bondi Beach was established in 1997 by David Handley—inspired by the enchanting outdoor parklands of Prague—the Cottesloe iteration has carved out its own unique identity since its westward expansion in 2005. What began as a modest endeavor has blossomed into one of the world’s largest free outdoor sculpture exhibitions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to witness the intersection of land and imagination. The exhibition serves as a vital cultural heartbeat for Perth, fostering a deep connection between the public and contemporary sculptural practice, even as it faces the modern challenges of maintaining such ambitious public art initiatives.

The true magic of the collection lies in its incredible diversity of form and material. As one traverses the scenic path from the sea wall toward North Cottesloe, the sculptures emerge like unexpected treasures from the landscape. One might encounter the enduring, stoic strength of bronze and steel standing in stark contrast to the organic warmth of weathered wood and natural elements harvested directly from the surrounding environment. The works range from deeply figurative pieces that explore the complexities of the human condition to sweeping abstract forms that mimic the undulating waves of the Indian Ocean. This year’s highlights include breathtaking installations that utilize light and shadow, such as the vibrant

Ocean Odyssey

by Dr. Subodh Kerkar, where movement and performance integrate seamlessly with the physical landscape.

For the art lover and the interior designer alike, the exhibition offers a masterclass in how art interacts with its environment. The architecture of the experience is defined not by walls, but by the natural topography of the beach and the surrounding grassy dunes. This deliberate placement creates a dynamic tension; the sculptures are subject to the elements, their surfaces often reflecting the changing hues of a Cottesloe sunset. It is this very vulnerability—the way a piece might change under the midday sun or appear ghostly in the twilight—that makes the exhibition so profoundly captivating. It remains a celebration of collective creativity, an invitation to rediscover the world through a lens of wonder and to find beauty in the fleeting moment where art meets the infinite sea.