From Plastic Waste to Coastal Art: The Making of Rising Beach Worm

For over two decades, SWELL Sculpture Festival has transformed the Currumbin coastline into a majestic gallery: where art, nature, and community converge in spectacular scale. 

This year, Neumann Steel is proud to continue our support of Queensland’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition with our installation, “Rising Beach Worm (Escaping Microplastics).”

We acknowledge the Neumann family, proud supporters of the SWELL Sculpture Festival for the 23^rd year running! Through the Neumann Benevolent Foundation, they continue their commitment as the SWELL Foundation Partner, helping bring this iconic cultural event to life. 

Our Sculpture: Rising Beach Worm (Escaping Microplastics)

For SWELL 2025, our contribution takes the form of “Rising Beach Worm (Escaping Microplastics)”. Crafted from recycled plastics, the sculpture is a scale-model (100:1) of a beach worm – a quiet sentinel beneath our shores. The worm emerges from the sand, a powerful metaphor for resilience in the face of microplastic pollution.

While many of us don’t see or think about these small creatures, they play vital roles in coastal ecosystems. Through this piece, we hope visitors will reflect on the hidden dangers of microplastics: how degraded plastic waste permeates seas, impacts marine life, and ultimately upsets the delicate balance of nature. Turning plastic waste into art is our way of giving back: by transforming something harmful into something meant to provoke awareness, not pollution.

We acknowledge the incredible work by Nick Quiel and Alanny Matos for creating this artwork, the boilermaker team for constructing the base, and the installation team – Nick, Alanny, Filipe Santoni and Sergio Sangreman – for bringing it all together.

Nick is quite the artist – he has received several ‘highly commended’ awards, an exhibition award, and some of his work has appeared in national and international magazines.

This project is not just an artwork – it’s a statement of sustainability, innovation, and care for the environment.

Neumann Family & Benevolent Fund: Supporting Art & Artists

The Neumann Benevolent Fund is honoured to be the Foundation Partner of the Festival. This marks the 23rd consecutive year of backing the SWELL Sculpture Festival, an institution that enriches the arts, draws people together, and enhances local culture.

The Neumann family also supports several of the festival’s awards:

• The $15,000 SWELL SCULPTURE NEUMANN FAMILY AWARD
• The $5,000 Neumann Family Highly Commended SWELL Sculpture Award
• And the $2,000 Jennie Neumann OAM Emerging Artist Award

These awards encourage established and emerging artists, and recognise excellence, innovation, and creative courage. 

Why It Matters to Us

Art has the power not just to beautify, but to question, challenge, and raise awareness.

• Environmental commitment: Our sculpture, made from recycled plastic, is a statement of concern and hope for our oceans and shores. It reflects our belief that thriving communities and caring for the environment can go hand in hand.
• Supporting community & creativity: For 23 years the Neumann family have been part of SWELL – supporting local voices, emerging talent, and public art that’s accessible to everyone.
• Legacy & values: The Neumann Family Benevolent Fund’s support of the festival embodies our belief in stewardship – of people and the environment. 

By exhibiting at SWELL, Neumann Steel helps to continue to spark imagination, connect people, and inspire action.

SWELL 2025

SWELL Sculpture Festival, 12–21 September 2025 Pacific Parade, Currumbin. Rising Beach Worm (Escaping Microplastics) was featured among more than 80 large-scale works, with visitors engaging in artist talks and workshops, amongst many other events and activities, while celebrating art, nature, and community.