If, like John Masefield, you 'must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky' I suggest Cottesloe beach. Here all ailments disappear while contemplating green water, blue sky and 38 monumental sculptures set on white sand and shaded lawn. This is an opportunity for the 'gallery-shy' to experience excellent works of art by sculptors from China, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Spain, Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland and our own Western Australia.

Be sure to pick up a site map (treasure map?) before you slap on a hat, kick off the shoes and head out to engage with the art. Exhibits in this eclectic display relate to marine mystery and migration history, political comment and environmental concerns, sea creatures and land lovers, abstract beauty and inspired imagination, while some might even suggest snippets of an old sea shanty.

Mystery is exemplified with the red tents of Five Dreams by Paco Simon (Spain) as we're not sure if we've been transported from the ocean's edge to a desert nomad's camp. Also mysterious is the large seaweed and mesh ball The Lion's Throat by Lorenna Grant (WA), which might be seen as Poseidon's toy. For her intriguing and well considered work Grant was awarded the Allens Arthur Robinson Sculptor's Scholarship.

Migration plays a major part in this nation's history and Nien Schwarz (WA) references waves of immigrants with her mound of suitcases half submerged in the sand. Meanwhile those migratory whales, sea birds and ships that seek the shore, often causing their demise, are suggested in the polished aluminium Spirit of the Albatross by Ron Gomboc (WA) and the plate aluminium Supernature by Jon Denaro (WA). Both these fine structures, and their shadows, suggest how new beauty can evolve from decay.

Hans Arkeveld (WA) makes a potent political statement with Siev X (Welcome to Australia) that has babies falling from a crowed boat sailing on rough seas toward a closed gate. Watching carefree young children engage with this work heightens the poignancy of the artist's message. The environment too has it's champions. Terraced lawns are planted with large white flowers made from plastic shopping bags by Julie Wilson-Foster (WA/Qld) who, no doubt, hopes she's not predicting the future. And Andali by Lou Lambert (WA) is an awesome steel, wire rope and marri wood nest cradling a precious egg. It reminds us that too many species of seabirds are in danger of disappearing because of human arrogance.

Realistic references to odd and familiar sea and land life abounds. Take a walk on the wild side and find a monumental bee by (Benedict Juniper, WA), a weird crab (Susan Flavell, WA) and a caged dinosaur (Sui Jianguo, China). Mingle among a gaggle, or should that be giggle, of little women (Richie Kuhaupt, WA) and stop awhile by a lone man seated on a bench contemplating life, the universe and everything by Steinunn Thorarinsdottir of Iceland.

Then, when you're ready, enter the non-representational side of reality. The beauty of abstract art is its freedom of interpretation. Viewers sometimes look to a title or artist statement to guide them toward defining what the art object is 'supposed to be' while most abstract artists ask only that you experience the beauty of line, shape, colour and the aesthetic manipulation of materials. All of these elements are found in Transfiguration 'ring' - mebius - XV (Misuo Takeuchi, Japan), Oushi Aokei, 2004 (Keizo Ushio, Japan), Reel 2005 (Robert Hague, NSW) and Blue Nude (Ron Robertson-Swann, NSW). Some reflect sunlight others absorb our interest, all make excellent viewing

The one exhibit that seems to defy all categories yet easily communicates to everyone is Negative Ions (Louise Elscot, WA). This collection of chromed steel balls atop slender steel rods of different heights, sways with the breeze, glitters in the sun, reflects the sky, land, sea, its audience and other spheres in the installation. It conjures up concepts of a holistic universe, ignites a sense of joy and may even inspire a song in the heart of the viewer.

As for those of you who fear going out in the sun or believe that art is only found in galleries, then attend the surf club rooms to find plinth works by the exhibiting artists which offer the same amount of satisfaction as the larger exhibits. And please do nominate your favourite for a viewer's choice award but be warned, you might need 38 ballots as not one of the exhibits can be faulted.

Kudos to all involved with this project, to the corporate and private sponsors, curators, administrative and organizational teams, the Town of Cottesloe and all the artists who have presented the best examples of their work.