First combine fine works by 28 Western Australian sculptors, blend them with those of 9 practitioners from the Eastern States, then add the efforts of 10 international artist representing 7 different countries. Mix together with sun, sand and sea and what do you get? A fantastic exhibition of contemporary art that amazes and delights all visitors to this iconic beach.

This is the second incarnation of the 'Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe' and it provides a grand display of eclectic works to an equally eclectic audience. Claiming artworks that you relate to is a special part of experiencing this open air art exhibition. For example while I was enjoying Geoff Overheu's collection of beautifully formed fibreglass B(l)eached Cows that were laying there legs up in the air, a pale English tourist fell onto the sand amid the herd to have her picture taken. With delighted laughter she counted herself one of the 'white cows' before continuing her exploration of the other works. Then, while walking toward the grassed terraces, I noticed an elderly gentleman sitting on a beach chair he'd placed in the shade provided by Kevin Draper's steel Canopy, a fascinating compilation of an open umbrella and leafless tree. When asked if he was part of the exhibit, the gent smiled and said it was the best seat on the beach. Meanwhile, many of the children who were having their picture taken amid The Explorers, a collection of small orange fibreglass spacemen by Alexander Seton, wanted to take one home.

There are quite a few exhibits I would like to bring home too. One is Sasha Reid's well carved wood, stone and concrete I, Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) with its noble stature and obvious personality. Another is Trevor Berry's Sun Worshipper 1, an excellent construction of stainless steel and solar panels that makes interesting viewing and an environmental statement. Then there's Settling In by Maris Raudzins with its reference to migration and new beginnings. Here a steel seed pod, washed up by the sea, casts out undulating tendrils so as to take root in a different environment. Meanwhile old life forms are celebrated in Fossili Marini (Fossils of the Sea) by Francesco Mazzotta. His carved Carrara marble forms suggest the petrified remains of some ancient species. However, the placing of these smooth rounded forms in a small shady grove brings to mind a nest. I began to consider them as strange eggs of some new, unknown creature.

Other works include the enigmatic and obvious, fights of fancy and realistic representations, all well considered and presented. This display of professional sculpture on the terraced lawns and white sand also proves to be inspiring to other, unnamed, artists who also left their creations on the beach. When I visited on the weekend, there was a sand-sculpture of a woman sun baking near the steps while further along the beach I spied a lad finishing up his rendition of a crocodile. Hopefully these artists will feature in some future exhibitions.

Before you head home, don't forget to check out the club room for plinth and floor exhibits by the participating artists. Here you'll find smaller renditions of, and other works relating to, the monumental exhibits in the landscape. Comparing the small with the large provides another level of interest to the whole presentation.

If you've yet to see this show, get up and get out of the office, house, or comfort zone and go to the beach at Cottesloe to enjoy some of the best sculpture in town.