Les Sculptures Refusées are back this year after a small hiccup which almost had it cancelled however local support made sure it went on! As a result it opened a week late on Saturday 21st of October 2023 and on until Sunday 12th November! We love love this exhibition, Q Station is a fantastic spot to explore and enjoy! This year more than ever, the artists reflected on the connection between their pieces and Q Station.

Works from 40 artists are featured across Q Station with both outdoor and indoor sculptures. Outdoor sculptures are accessible all hours as Q Station is open 24hrs. The indoor sculptures are open 10am – 4pm each weekend of the show and Wednesdays.

Les Sculptures Refusées 2023 LSR Q Station Manly — Sandra Pitkin: Past Present - Photo credit: @busycitykids

We love wandering around Q Station finding all the sculptures, a great thing to do outdoors, exercise, beach, family time and it’s free. Just be mindful of cars walking down from reception as it is a shared road with cars and Q Station shuttles.

Our favourite piece and reflection would have to be Water View by Annelies Jahn & Jane Burton Taylor down by the Wharf. They mention how the kinetic work is a low portal framing the view. Almost like a portal reflecting on travellers coming to Q Station ‘Experiencing a curious sensation of feeling both a part of, and apart from, the world. This mist screen presents a window onto the far shores, suggesting this conflicting simultaneous sense of connection and disconnection.’ We didn’t read the reflection until after we interacted with the space, how fitting that we captured this photo!

We were keen to visit on the first day and spend a bit of time at the beach. The kids made their own outdoor sculpture to celebrate, such a nice beach! Grab a paper map at the Q Station Reception or access the map via their website.

Be prepared to tackle some stairs going down & back up from the Wharf, some great exercise! Kids are never keen haha!

The Indoor gallery of the Sculptures Refusées is located in the historic laundry near the wharf at Q Station and open weekends and Wednesdays 10am to 4pm.

Some artists entered mini version of their large outdoor sculptures as part of the indoor Les Sculptures Refusées pieces which was cute to look at especially Barbara Licha’s Quo Vadis little people.

Various pieces - Photo credit: @busycitykids

Jane Théau’s In Limbo piece reflecting the quarantine history of Q station and passengers who arrived sure got us ready & spooked for Halloween. If you look further down the shower rooms you will see floating people and sheets.

We loved Amanda Hills’ Field Note: Sydney Navigator made from old paper road maps. The kids were quite intrigued by Lisa Hölzl’s Beach Ball: Paula, Paloma, Paulina statues that moved with the wind.

Loved Barbara Licha’s Quo Vadis 2023 piece, it took me back to her pieces at the Sculptures by the Sea 2022. And Katie Barbarie Stewart’s Print Imprint fitted perfectly by the Wharf tracks.

Barbara Licha: Quo Vadis 2023 - Photo credit: @busycitykids

Kids can interact with Annelies Jahn & Jane Burton Taylor’s Water View outdoor timed sculpture by observing it or enjoying as a direct sensorial experience: by standing near enough to feel the mist on one’s skin, or by slowly walking through it. The kids decided to hide & seek and do optical illusions with Tania McMurtry’s piece which was quite funny of them!

We loved Les Sculptures Refusées 2023 and can’t wait for next year!

Pack a light bag with some towels and swimwear to make the most of the beautiful and kid friendly Q Station beach. I say light as it’s a bit of a trek from the visitor centre to the wharf and beach.

We grabbed a drink and ice cream at the Q Station Café to go through the map and make sure we didn’t miss a sculpture. You can book history tours if you’re keen to find out more about this piece of history and a ghost tour if you’re game too!

North Head Quarantine Station - North Head Scenic Dr, Manly NSW 2095

Free entry
Free Parking onsite (busy during sunset sessions)
Toilets behind Q Station Café
Limited pram & wheelchair accessibility to Wharf and Beach area
Mixed cars & walking path road
Pack a light bag with a towel and swimmers and water
Be sun smart as it’s full sun on the walk
No pets allowed at Q Station

More info regarding this great exhibition Les Sculptures Refusées’ website.

Find out about NEW events, activities and programs across Sydney via our What’s On Sydney page.

Les Sculptures Refusées 2023 at Q Station - Review

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