BONDI.- Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi announced that one of the most important sculptors in the world, Sir Anthony Caro OM, CBE, will be part of the 2010 exhibition which runs from 28 October to 14 November on the spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk.

Made possible thanks to the generous support of Transfield Holdings, a long time sponsor of Sculpture by the Sea, Caro's sculpture Erl King will be on one of the exhibition's prime locations in the sandstone lookout at the end of the south Bondi headland overlooking the ocean.

Caro said of his inclusion in the exhibition "I went to Australia in 1971 and liked the place very much. I found the people forward-looking and energetic. There was an atmosphere of 'can-do'. Visually it was unexpected and beautiful. We went to Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Alice Springs and Darwin. While in Sydney I saw the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I met many Australian artists at Triangle workshop in New York State and found them talented and receptive. I am very excited by the idea of showing at Bondi Beach where so many people will see the language of sculpture is being more widely appreciated. I am delighted to be taking part in the exhibition."

Australian artist and Head of Sculpture at the National Art School Ron Robertson-Swann OAM, was instrumental in encouraging Caro to be a part of Sculpture by the Sea. Robertson-Swann who studied at St Martin's School, London, under Caro's tutelage commented, "I am delighted that the most significant sculptor of our time is going to be part of our wonderful show. Caro has been an important influence on many of the other sculptors who'll be showing at Bondi this year and I am sure they'll be delighted to be exhibiting with him."

Founding Director David Handley expressed his delight that Caro is to join the list of prestigious sculptors who have taken part in the exhibition over the years. "Many people regard Sir Anthony as not only the most important sculptor in the world but the most important artist living today. Having him in the show alongside other major international and Australian sculptors as well as emerging artists is part of the inclusive nature of Sculpture by the Sea."

Joint Managing Directors of Transfield Holdings, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis AM & Luca Belgiorno-Nettis AM, said "Transfield began its partnership with Sculpture by the Sea in 2004. This year we are pleased to support the Distinguished Invited Artists Program and it is a measure of Sculpture by the Sea's standing in the artistic community that they are able to attract the calibre of artists like Sir Anthony Caro, Zero Higashida and Virginia King."

Born in 1924, Sir Anthony Caro has played a pivotal role in the development of twentieth century sculpture. The exhibition of his large, brightly painted abstract works at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1963 caught the attention of the public. The works stood directly on the ground, and in doing so, allowed the spectator to engage with the works on a more immediate level, marking a radical departure in the way sculpture had previously been viewed.

After studying at Royal Academy School in London, Caro worked as an assistant to Henry Moore. His major exhibitions include retrospectives at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (1975), the Trajan Markets, Rome (1992), the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (1995), Tate Britain, London (2005), and three museums in Pas-de-Calais, France (2008), to accompany the opening of his Chapel of Light at Bourbourg.

Caro has been awarded many prizes, including the Praemium Imperiale for Sculpture in Tokyo in 1992 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the USA based International Sculpture Centre in 1997. He holds many honorary degrees from universities in the UK, USA and Europe. Sir Anthony was knighted in 1987 and received the Order of Merit in May 2000, the first sculptor awarded this special distinction since Henry Moore in 1963.

In addition to Erl King, Caro will have several works in the Sculpture by the Sea indoor exhibition, Sculpture Inside, which is being held in a new location this year at the back of Marks Park on the south Bondi headland.

The other Transfield Holdings Distinguished Invited Artists to take part in Sculpture by the Sea are Virginia King from New Zealand and Zero Higashida from Japan with his tribute to his long time friend the award winning American playwright Edward Albee.