Sculptures set to make waves

The usual diverse array of crowd-pleasers and head-scratchers will be ready for their close-ups as Cottesloe beach is transformed into the ultimate sculpture park from tomorrow.

Sculpture by the Sea, WA's most popular annual exhibition, returns for its ninth year with 70 artworks from around the world, including 26 from WA.

More than 220,000 people are expected to have flocked to the showcase of the best in Australian and international sculpture by the time Sculpture by the Sea ends on March 24.

For the interactive, family-friendly exhibition, some artists have fun with ideas thrown up by the beachside location.

New Zealand artist Veronica Herber was rushing to be ready for the opening by tearing up 1km of masking tape into thousands of short strips to make a 20m-long layered trail across the groyne.

Other artworks include The Optimist, Sydney artist Stephen Marr's blue-sky man made from styrene and epoxy resin; Chen Wenling's latest in his red boy series, Games, and a sculptural tribute to the late Robert Juniper from his son, Ben Juniper.

Size was everything for many artists, such as those behind a gigantic pair of budgie smugglers, a giant metal nut, a massive red chilli, large liquorice allsorts and a colossal kangaroo.

Liquorice Allsorts by Michael Grau. Picture: Ben Martin/The West Australian