Collection: Balloon Spectacular Skywhale & Skywhalepapa

Artist Patricia Piccinini’s skywhale family, Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, are the highlights of the 2021 Canberra Balloon Spectacular.

Skywhale was commissioned for the Canberra centenary celebrations in 2013.  Skywhalepapa, the companion piece, was commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, and was launched in February 2021.

Piccinini says “Skywhalepapa, 2020, is a new work that continues my relationship with the people of Canberra that began with Skywhale in 2013. Together they form a skywhale family that will take to the air over Canberra and go on to explore the country and the world. Commissioned as part of the Balnaves Contemporary Series, Every Heart Sings is a project that talks about nature, family, evolution, care and wonder. They float into our lives to make us smile and think.” (courtesy of the NGA website)

This Balloon Spectacular is the first chance I have had to get close to the Skywhales.  They are gentle giants of the sky and I think they are wonderful.

More information can be found here: https://knowmyname.nga.gov.au/events/skywhales-every-heart-sings-project/