A whale of a tale – public art trail with 80 sculptures opens in Auckland

26 Jan 2022

Jeanine Oxenius and Heike Rzehulek-Schmitt of Byebyelove with their Whale Tale painted in Resene Guru, Resene St Kilda, Resene Surf’s Up, Resene Black and Resene White. This tail is going in Parnell’s Gladstone Park.

Whale Tales, a public art trail launches this month, with unique and stunning whale tail sculptures, designed by artists and children, in paint sponsored by Resene. Whale Tales brings to life themes of protecting and restoring the mauri (life force or essence) of our ocean. Inspired by the Bryde’s whale, the 80 large tail sculptures and 80 mini tail sculptures will brighten Auckland’s streets, parks, and open spaces to provide residents and visitors a fresh opportunity to explore the City of Sails.

The legacy of Whale Tales will continue long after the fun of the trail has ended with the sculptures being auctioned to raise significant funds to power the work WWF-New Zealand does to look after our moana (ocean) and marine life throughout Aotearoa, particularly in and around the Hauraki Gulf.

WWF-New Zealand’s Whale Tales is a Wild in Art event in partnership with Auckland Unlimited and with the support of many other sponsors, including Resene who has assisted with Resene paint and Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield to help colour and protect the tails.

The mini tails will be launched on the trail in mid-March, and when the trail ends, they will be returned to schools to enjoy, and the large tails will be auctioned to raise funds for WWF-New Zealand’s vital work to protect and restore the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana/Te Moananui-à-Toi. The trail runs until 18 April 2022.

Find out more:

www.whaletales2022.org

See more of Byebyelove art and upcycling HERE

Published: 26 Jan 2022