A striking sculpture of a Greek siren has taken out top honours at the Australian Sand Sculpting Championships after the event’s six-year absence.
Tasmanian-born artist Meg Murray carved her winning piece, Screech of the Sea, from a 10-tonne block of builders’ sand, taking out first place in the solo category at the Frankston Waterfront in Victoria over the weekend.
Murray said she aimed to capture the complex nature of the mythical sirens for this year’s theme, ‘The Villains of Story Time’.
“I wanted to convey the more villainous side of the siren, the alluring songs to lure the sailor,” she told Local Radio.
“And then once she’s done her beautiful song and looks like a beautiful maiden, she screeches and reveals her true identity.”
The championship, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, challenged artists to complete their sandy masterpieces in just three days.
“It’s very physically and mentally fatiguing,” Murray said, describing her swollen hands and “physically beaten” body after the competition.
To stay energised during the intense carving process, Murray stuck to a strict nutritional routine.
“The whole time, I didn’t eat any carbs. I ate eggs nearly every day and a big protein smoothie and a lot of water and a bit of fruit,” she said.
Even though the event is held by the sea, the sculptures were created using trucked-in builders’ sand, which is sturdier and better suited for detailed work than regular beach sand.
“You’re carving into the sand, not building the sand up. You’re carving into it to reveal what you want to reveal, sort of like rock,” Murray explained.
Fresh off her win, Murray is already eyeing the international scene.
“I would like to do some competitions globally. So, I’m just thinking I’ll apply for some of those for the next summer,” she said.
The sand sculptures will remain on display at the Frankston Waterfront until April 27.
