Joel Adler, the sculpture behind the latest Batemans Bay foreshore sculpture is an artist and industrial designer specialising in site-specific sculpture, installation and interactive objects.
In June 2021, Adler was commissioned to create a sculpture using material from the historic Batemans Bay Bridge.
For locals and visitors to the Bay the sculpture is now in place awaiting landscaping before being officially revealed to the broader public. The piece is stunning.
A reveal in its present form would do a injustice to what will become a Batemans Bay icon in itsself so beagle readers will just have to be patient so that we can present the sculpture complete and perfect.
Adler's approach behind every project is to focus on the interaction and experience of the viewer, inventing new ways of experiencing the world. The form and format of each work are driven by the intended experience of the viewer and the processes required to enable that experience.
Adler studied Industrial Design at the University of New South Wales (Hons I, 2017) and completed a minor in Sustainable Design Engineering at Delft Technical University in The Netherlands (2016).
In 2018, whilst working as a project manager and industrial designer for a Sydney-based metal fabrication company, Adler submitted a concept for a community-driven sculpture for Mount Sinai College.
His concept, ‘Tree of Life’ was chosen by the school and he was commissioned to design and manage the fabrication and installation of the work in late 2018.
In early 2019, Adler submitted a concept for Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi.The concept, a site-specific periscope-like sculpture titled ‘Viewfinder’, was selected for the exhibition and Adler was mentored by Sydney artist Chris Fox as part of the Clitheroe Foundation Mentorship Program.
They met regularly in the lead up to the exhibition. With Chris Fox’s guidance Viewfinder was installed at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi in 2019. The work won the People’s Choice Prize, the Kids’ Choice Prize and the Artist’s Pick Award at the exhibition.
Following the success of ‘Viewfinder’, Adler moved into Studio 3 at ninetythreebourke studios and has since been working on public and private art commissions.
In February 2021, Viewfinder was relocated to Lighthouse Reserve on permanent loan to Woollahra Council and March 2021, Adler exhibited ‘Sensor’ at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe.
