It's an eye-catching ocean pool, with swimmers apparently negotiating the lane ropes on their daily laps.
And it's entirely at home in its setting along the rock wall between Bondi and Tamarama.
Katoomba artist Ian Swift's pool, which is showing in this year's Sculptures by the Sea, marks his 10th selection in the exhibition, one of just 16 artists in the so-called "Decade Club".
Mr Swift was in the first show in 1997, which was a very low-key affair held on a single day.
Many artists thought it was too much trouble to transport and assemble a work on display for less than 24 hours, he said. But at the time he lived at nearby Maroubra and was interested in the concept, so applied and was selected.
"Only about 67 artists applied [then]," he said. "Now they get at least 500 applications to go in and accept about 100."
Mr Swift's ocean pool is made from a piece of perspex painted to look like the sea and second-hand bits of metal and old tools. He regularly used recycled or found materials collected from garage sales or street throw-outs or anywhere else he can find things.
He originally created the sculpture to fill a wall at the Lost Bear Gallery in Katoomba, which represents him. To show by the sea he added the blue perspex to provide a better contrast with the rock ledge where it is installed.
Mr Swift is not the only Mountains artist represented this year. Blackheath sculptor Clara Hali's abstract bronze woman also features.
Ms Hali is also a repeat exhibitor at the outdoor spectacular.
"This is my sixth time which I'm very delighted about. It's a beautiful site to exhibit in and it's an absolute privilege. Anyone who gets accepted in the Sculptures by the Sea is a winner as far as I can see. It's just a beautiful location."
The most important thing for the show is to make a stand-alone piece and one that can withstand the exposed position, Ms Hali said.
"Creating something for indoors, it's intimate, a contained space, but when you get there with all that sky and all that sea, most sculptures seem to diminish, to shrink."
An estimated 500,000 people will visit the exhibition this year. "It's what most of the state and regional galleries dream about, that sort of audience," Ms Hali said.
Ms Hali moved to the Mountains 19 years ago and draws inspiration from the local landscapes and the topography. She is also thrilled to have been invited to join the judging panel for next year's Scenic World sculpture competition.
Sculptures by the Sea runs until November 9.
