Hinterland mum's 'Nudi Run' set for centre stage at Gold Coast Swell Festival

Nambour artist Gretchen Keelty will put some of the Sunshine Coast’s smallest marine creatures on a much bigger stage when her sculpture installation, Nudi Run, features at this year’s Swell Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.

The free festival will run from September 11-20 along Currumbin Beach, with about 100 artists exhibiting works across the dunes, walkways and shoreline.

Ms Keelty’s installation has been given a prominent position near the Nippers Club and Smalls Gallery.

Nudi Run features seven large-scale, scientifically accurate ceramic nudibranch sculptures based on species found on the Sunshine Coast.

“I want people to pat them, and engage with the work,” Ms Keelty said. “I want the audience to fall in love with nudibranchs and to protect them and their habitats.”

Ms Keelty said the work was inspired by the extraordinary diversity of nudibranchs found locally, particularly around the Mooloolah River and La Balsa Park.

More than 1200 nudibranch species have been identified on the Sunshine Coast, with hundreds recorded in the Mooloolah River.

Sunshine Coast nudibranch expert Gary Cobb has acted as a consultant on the project, providing reference images and checking the anatomy of the sculptures as they were created.

Nudibranchs, often described as sea slugs, are known for their remarkable colours, shapes and survival strategies.

Some species can consume jellyfish and retain their stinging cells for defence, while others can absorb photosynthetic material from plants and use sunlight to produce energy.

Ms Keelty said raising public awareness was central to the project. Over 3000 species have been scientifically described worldwide, with 775 of those found in the Mooloolah River. The river has become a destination for people from all over the world to come and experience the diversity of nudibranchs.

“I want everyone to know about these magical sea slugs, fall in love with them and to advocate for their protection,” she said.  The Swell Sculpture Festival will also feature workshops, guided tours, artist talks and a pop-up entertainment precinct, while the Smalls Gallery will showcase smaller works available for purchase.

Nudi Run will be on display at Currumbin Beach from September 11-20, with a satellite installation also appearing in the Gorman window at Pacific Fair.

Ms Keelty is documenting the project on Instagram and Facebook at @gretchenkeeltyartist.

Pictured: Nudi Run features large-scale, scientifically accurate ceramic nudibranch sculptures. Inset Gretchen Keelty.