Yumi
Artist: Laura Wells & Ally Mansell
In Australia, particularly NSW we are so lucky to witness the migration of the humpback whale to its breeding grounds in the north and back to its feeding grounds in the South every year. We see humpbacks play, socialise and breed right off our coasts. Yumi portrays this by linking all three elements with a fingerprint design. Yumi visually represents the intersection of humans, whales and the ocean, who all three are intertwined and how each relies on the other to support healthy ecosystems on both land and in the seas. The name Yumi also means ‘abundance’. Since the beginning of the whale moratorium in 1986, a total ban on whaling, humpback whale numbers have increased steadily no longer being consider endangered. A huge achievement, but still whales face many human induced threats-including plastic pollution, overfishing and shipping and climate change. We must protect our whales and our oceans for the future, because what happens in the ocean directly affects us humans here in land.
Did you know? The underside of a whales tail has its own unique patterns just like our human fingerprints and can be used to identify individual whales? This fun fact was the inspiration to show the interconnectedness of humans and whales, and also to represent the bathymetry (bottom) of the ocean floor. Whales have a unique ability to pump nutrients around our oceans, and help foster a perfect environment for the growth of phytoplankton, tiny photosynthetic plants that are the bottom of the food chain and arguably the most vital. They keep our oceans productive and in turn keep us humans breathing. Without whales we don’t have healthy oceans, without healthy oceans we don’t have healthy humans. We must protect whales and the oceans at all cost.
Laura Wells & Ally Mansell
Laura wells Is a science communicator and environmentalist. Laura’s passion for the environment, love for the ocean and interest in facilitating climate change action has led her to become a positive role model, advocate and ambassador for change. Ally Mansell is a Visual Artist who’s work explores the vital role nature and animals play in healing and enriching human lives. Her works are a celebration of gratitude for the natural world. She uses a mix of oils, collage & drawing to create her works.
Soon, Cockle Bay Wharf will undergo another $1bn transformation, including 6500m2 of publicly accessible open and green space, and new landbridge across the Western Distributor at the historic Pyrmont Bridge, reconnecting Darling Harbour and Central Sydney. In the New Sydney Waterfront we are actively curating the future experience of the Precinct. Like Laura Wells, we aim to create a healthy, sustainable masterpiece for future generations.
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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