The sculpture, called Respect by Gold Coast artist Antone Bruinsma and which depicts a blossom acknowledging inner beauty and a symbol of what’s possible with encouragement and respect, is among more than 70 works rising from the sands and dunes.

SWELL this year celebrates its 20th year of showcasing large-scale contemporary sculptures with a record number of entries displayed in the unique outdoor format along the pristine southern beach.

Expecting to raise eyebrows is renowned Spanish artist Alejandro Propato, who has flown in with seven kilometres of string and erected 40 poles on the beach to create a colourful piece called Permanent Sunrise, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and Surfers Paradise skyline.

Public space land art sculptor Marcus Tatton will build a giant wood and steel sea urchin live on the beach as visitors watch.

The Tasmanian’s work ranges from natural densely packed chunks of firewood, industrial waste material constructions, to cast concrete and fabricated steel projects and will undergo construction until Sunday 11 September.

From the first SWELL event, when locals and visitors enjoyed 20 sculptures at Currumbin, the festival has grown to attract more than 150 artists this year.

A new beachside SWELL Fringe Festival will also be held alongside the main sculpture exhibition, SWELL by Night, Living Sculpture performances, the pop-up indoor SWELL Smalls Gallery, and the SWELL Kids program.

SWELL Sculpture Festival artistic director and founder Natasha Edwards said the exhibition had grown to be recognised as one of Australia’s major arts events and had launched the careers of hundreds of world-renowned artists.

“SWELL’s legacy for advocating and supporting the arts on the Gold Coast, connecting people, art and place is something we are all very proud of,” Edwards said.

She said the formulating vision for SWELL 20 years ago was simply “getting art out there.”

“Artists and communities play a vital role in building social cohesion, connecting people, art and place is our vision, and we love to exhibit artists’ sculptures to share their stories to visitors to the outdoor sculpture exhibition,” she said.

“The joy people get when they visit SWELL is incredible, being able to immerse themselves and experience art in our outdoor gallery”.

Edwards said many artists had grown up with SWELL as a result of the festival’s 20 year-run.

“Many artists we see today are the next generation SWELL. They have had the incredible opportunity to grow up surrounded by art in the natural setting and draw inspiration from the festival – the arts has played a big part in their life,” Edwards said.

“It’s extraordinary to see them now participating in the festival and emerging with fresh and creative installations inspired by other artists and what they have experienced on this beach.

“The Gold Coast itself has also come of age – art is much more revered and celebrated.”

SWELL takes place from 9-18 September.