Sand sculpting pindan style

The iconic sands of Cable Beach turned into a museum of sand sculptures when people of all ages took part in a sand sculpture competition last Sunday.

Before the competition, however, locals were given the chance to learn from Sand Sculpture WA.

Sand Sculpture WA founders Tim Darby and Shani Graham visited Broome to build a pindan sculpture at Streeter’s Jetty.

Mr Darby said the duo really enjoyed working in the regions and working with pindan.

“I like working with pindan because of its texture and it’s like the colour of the country and we had never ventured to Broome before, so it was nice to have the opportunity,” he said. “I tend to prefer using the materials that are normally found where I visit.

“For example, in Albany I would use the sand they have there and in Broome I would use the pindan, so it’s more natural.”

In addition to building the pindan sculpture, Mr Darby and Ms Graham also held two sand-sculpting workshops on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1.

“Sand sculpting is quite participatory in the sense that people can look at the sculpture at one stage, then come back when it’s a bit more developed.” Mr Darby said.

“I think it’s pretty cool that aside from being able to witness the sculpture being made, they were able to have a go themselves and become involved in the process.

“It was all about teaching people the basics and everyone having a go.” Mr Darby said getting into sand sculpting was fairly easy once people got the hang of it.

“If the sculpture falls over, you can always start again or if you carve too much sand off, you can always add more,” he said.

“Sand is a very forgiving material.”