Grant Finck, Australian sculptor, said, "They're eroded and in time they have holes through them which are beautifully polished and curved. But it also has to my mind a bit of a figurative quality about it, like abstract human curves. A sense of humanity is what I'm trying to portray."

Organizers selected 107 exhibits to appear along the two-kilometer stretch of coastline, from the hundreds of submissions received by artists from around the world.

The exhibition offers a range of prizes to artists, including rewarding sculptures that feature movement, and that make the most of their environmental surroundings.

The festival has growing from its inaugural event in 1997. At that time, it featured around 60 works and was organized by a team of volunteers.

Organizers expect to welcome more than 500,000 visitors to the exhibition before it closes on November 2, 2008.

Organizers also hope the overseas expansion of the exhibition will provide new opportunities and more exposure for Australian artists.