They become part of people's identity': how Australia fell in love with the Skywhales

"For the Skywhales to become part of someone's narrative—it's a real gift to me. There are lots of great Skywhale tattoos. I love them. These tattooed fans are among the thousands of people Piccinini has met since 2013, when the first Skywhale took to the air, her 10 long breasts dangling from the sky."

"Often, people are so excited about the creatures visiting their community that they add their own touches to the event. In Canberra and Ballarat, local choirs performed We Are the Skywhales—a song composed by musician Jess Green—as the balloons took flight. In Alice Springs, GUTS Dance choreographed moves for the crowd to perform in celebration of the animals."

"Last year alone, the Skywhales Across Australia tour organised by the National Gallery of Australia visited six sites, from Townsville in tropical north Queensland to Albany on the blustery south-west WA coast. In 2026, the Skywhales are taking to the skies in four new locations, starting at the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale, northern New South Wales, on 21 March."

Patricia Piccinini created the Skywhales, imaginative hot air balloon sculptures depicting whales evolved to live in the air. Since 2013, the first Skywhale has traveled across Australia, joined by Skywhalepapa in 2021. The National Gallery of Australia organizes tours visiting multiple locations annually, from Townsville to Albany. The Skywhales have generated significant public enthusiasm, with people getting tattoos of the creatures and communities organizing special events. Local choirs have performed songs, and dance groups have choreographed celebrations during visits. In 2026, the Skywhales will visit four new locations, beginning in Armidale, New South Wales. Piccinini values how the Skywhales have become part of people's personal narratives and community identities.

Read at www.theguardian.com