Splashed with Love
Artist: The Kids’ Cancer Project and INSACIOUS
I wanted to connect the drawings from the kids at The Kids Cancer Project with the ocean. Facing the Western Sydney Harbour, this tail is immersed in coral reefs and patterns from the deep. The children and families who I worked with created colourful drawings of turtles, rainbows, families and fish, and I wanted to place these across the whale tail to communicate their deeply personal and heartfelt stories.
“The Waterfront Whale Tales is an exciting new partnership with the trail and auction aimed at raising awareness and significant funds towards childhood cancer research. We want to change the statistics, every day three families hear the words: ‘Your child has cancer,’ and every week, three children die.” Col Reynolds OAM, Founder of TKCP.
The Kids’ Cancer Project and INSACIOUS
Established in 1993, The Kids’ Cancer Project is an independent national charity focused on raising funds for childhood cancer research and are the sole beneficiaries of The Waterfront Whale Tail. This work was in collaboration with illustrator and designer Pablo Colombi, who translated the drawings of seven children from TKCP onto this tail.
This huge, 4,000m2 playground is the largest in Sydney’s CBD. Creating play space as the centrepiece of the Darling Quarter urban renewal is a microcosm of the New Sydney Waterfront precinct – 21st Century urban business centre set in a harbourside playground. When developed the childrens playground was themed around the power of water; with sluices, pumps and water wheels demonstrating industrial processes that were part of the 19th century development of Darling Harbour. What better place for artwork exploring healing power of water than a playground with 1,000m2 of interactive water play?
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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