Liquid Topography
Artist: Peita Blythe
I am enamoured with the artform of mapping because it combines all of my passions: travel, research, illustration, design, hand-lettering and storytelling. The versatility of maps means that anything and everything can be mapped, creating endless design possibilities.
The process of making maps involves a lot of research and helps me to slow down and really engage with the place I am mapping. I really enjoy distilling all this research into a curated map that captures a place’s personality, its history, its quirks and its stories.
I am driven by the need to create informative and beautiful wayfinding maps that will ultimately help people gain a better appreciation and understanding of a place. However for this project, I really enjoyed taking a different approach to produce an artwork that referenced mapping but adopted a more abstract approach.
I decided to use a marbling paint process which I have always been fascinated by due to the way it can capture the fluidity of water and the incredible organic patterns which are reminiscent of topographic contour maps.
Peita Blythe
Peita Blythe is an illustrator, cartographer and graphic designer specialising in creative mapping solutions. Her passion for mapping as a unique visual communication and storytelling device during her visual communication studies. Blythe is an enthusiastic, passionate and driven creative who strives to create beautiful work that informs, inspires and transports her audiences.
The Star is Sydney’s full-service integrated resort – a landmark entertainment venue in Sydney’s Waterfront 24-Hour tourism precinct. It features 650 hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants and bars, a nightclub, events centre, spa and Lyric Theatre, all located where Sydney’s sandstone heart meets our spectacular harbour. The artwork reflects this union, recalling topographic contour lines and the fluidity of water.
First Nations Audio Narrative: With thanks to our Indigenous Cultural Advisors, Aunty Jo Selfe and Uncle Graham Toomey, and special contributors who have generously shared important stories of place. Listen to the First Nations Audio Narrative here.
Charity Auction
Love Whale Tales? Want to keep one?
You can! After the Waterfront Whale Tales trail concludes, all 30 sculptures will be offered for purchase at a dedicated art auction at Sydney Maritime Museum, Terrace Room.
The net proceeds from the auction will go to The Kids’ Cancer Project.
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