Balancing Elements – Array 8 by Benjamin Jay Shand

Sitting along the cliffs of Sydney’s eastern beaches, Array 8 by Benjamin Jay Shand aims to capture and bend light through its opposing forms. Showcased as part of the 24th exhibition of Sculpture by the Sea, the artwork speaks to balance and geometry whilst referencing its immediate context.

Returning after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, Sculpture by the Sea celebrates Australian and international artists with more than 100 sculptures appearing on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk annually. Perched at Tamarama Point, Array 8 – on exhibition until November 7th – is a cube-like structure with a rigid metallic outer skin and a fluid set of crystalline forms within. The contrast of the hard shell and almost ephemeral interior asks the viewer to consider balance. Furthermore, the sculpture reflects, refracts and projects its immediate surrounds, harnessing light throughout the day and evoking different moods from every angle.

The contrast of the hard shell and almost ephemeral interior asks the viewer to consider balance.

Array 8 is part of a larger series titled Arrays. Director of Studio Shand, Benjamin Jay Shand, began this series as a way to distil and develop designs through pure, unadorned geometries. The first version appeared in 2017 at the 15th edition of the Venice Biennale with The University of Sydney and, the following year, another iteration was illuminated and suspended at the Overseas Passenger Terminal as part of Vivid Sydney. Studio Shand has since continued its exploration into the grid and frame concept, inverting and rotating these elements to exhibit a love of composition and shape.

Array 8 was initially sketched three years ago, before being refined through maquettes sculpted at a 1:5 scale and full-size connection prototypes. However, the final interpretation was delayed due to the pandemic and consequent cancellation of Sculpture by the Sea for the past two years. Now debuting in 2022, the final iteration of Benjamin’s sculpture is not only a highly refined interpretation of years of prototyping and workshopping, but a fitting reflection of its spectacular setting.

Now debuting in 2022, the final iteration of Benjamin’s sculpture is not only a highly refined interpretation of years of prototyping and workshopping, but a fitting reflection of its spectacular setting.

Expressing a meticulous understanding of form and materiality, Array 8 is a powerful contribution to Sculpture by the Sea. Encouraging viewers to pause for a moment, it showcases Benjamin’s affinity for composition, light play and balance.