Whale Tales 2021 – artists we need you!2 min read
Reading Time: 2 minutesRemember our beautiful mosaic owl, GOWLdi, perched outside St Peter’s Church on Onehunga Mall back in 2018? Sponsored by the Onehunga Business Association, it was part of The Haier Big Hoot public art trail, where 47 giant owls, and 60 mini owlet sculptures were dotted around Auckland. It was a huge success, and we can now look forward to a similar event in February next year.
A trail of unique and stunning whale tail sculptures designed by artists and children, and sponsored by businesses and organisations, will be once again scattered around Auckland. Afterwards, the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise funds for the vital work WWF-New Zealand does to look after our oceans and marine life, particularly in and around the Hauraki Gulf.
The Onehunga Business Association (OBA) is sponsoring a whale tail for Onehunga – but this time they will also be running a design competition. Experienced artists with a connection to Onehunga are invited to submit a design concept to decorate the whale tail; the theme is Onehunga is my neighbourhood. The top three-five submissions will be selected for a public vote, and the winner will be contracted by WWF to bring their concept to life.
Information for artists
11th May – Submissions close
2nd June – Winner is announced
Mid July – Contract confirmed
1st November – Whale Tail is completed by artist
February-April – Whale Tail is put on display in Onehunga town centre
June – Auction
The whale tail, made of hollow fibreglass and finished with a white primer, will be approximately 1800mm wide, 1700mm tall and weigh 40kg. The blank tail will be delivered to a prepared space for the winning artist to complete painting – all paint will be provided by Resene. If the artist prefers to do the work in their own studio, they will be responsible for safe transport to and from our location – to be advised.
All finalists will receive two tickets to Onehunga’s Culinary Crawl on 25th July, and the winner will receive $500 prize money from the OBA. Once the work is completed, they will receive a $1500 commission fee from WWF.
Please send your submission to Amanda Wellgreen at the Onehunga Business Association on manager@onehunga.net.nz. To find out more, contact Amanda on 021 922 744 and also go to whaletales2021.org.
