Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

Look up! Skywhale and Skywhalepapa are returning to Tamworth’s skies this Saturday the 6th of May.

The skywhales were originally scheduled to return last October, but the event was postponed due to bad weather. The event is completely free to attend – although you will need to wake up before dawn, so rug up and grab a warm coffee and prepare to experience the magic of the Skywhales.

First envisioned and created by Melbourne-based artist Patricia Piccinini, the now-globally recognised figures of Skywhale and Skywhalepapa will take to the skies at dawn as part of the Every Heart Sings project. Skywhale and Skywhalepapa are hot air balloon sculptures, with Skywhale first launching in Canberra in 2013. The project has since expanded to include music, knitting, and a children’s book, along with the national tour.

Every Heart Sings is a touring exhibition backed by the National Gallery of Australia, bringing the magic of the Skywhales Australia wide. First launched in 2021, the national tour of Every Heart Sings was made possible thanks to the support of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and Visions of Australia.

Creator Patricia Piccinini says “The Every Heart Sings project exists to bring people together, where it is to celebrate the skywhales taking off, or help them with putting them away, or just see them randomly as they fly overhead.”

The Skywhale family will take off from the No. 1 Oval at dawn, Saturday the 6th of May. Viewers are encouraged to arrive at Bicentennial Park on Kable Avenue at 5:15am to witness the magic of the event.

You can find more information about the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/779876840218370

More of Patricia Piccinini’s art can be found here: https://www.patriciapiccinini.net

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