Patricia Piccinini: Skywhales

This exhibition in the Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery presents the development of Patricia Piccinini’s hot-air balloon skywhale family –Skywhale and Skywhalepapa ­– through studio drawings, 3D models and an interview with the artist.

The skywhale family look like large friendly whales. They float in the sky rather than the sea. Skywhalepapa holds multiple babies in his claws. For the artist this reflects the changing role of male caregivers and celebrates a father’s capacity to love and support. Together, Skywhale and Skywhalepapa describe different ways of thinking about family and gender roles.

Tim Fairfax Learning Gallery and Studio and associated programs are made possible through the generous support of Education Patron, Tim Fairfax AC. Skywhales: every heart sings is a Balnaves Contemporary Series project. Skywhalepapa has been commissioned with the assistance of The Balnaves Foundation

Curators: Jaklyn Babington and Sarina Noordhuis-Fairfax

Go to the Skywhales Learning Resource for primary students.

See Skywhales: Every heart sings to learn more.