Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 31

TROPIC • ARTS

1. William T. Cooper, Palm Cockatoo, 1986
private collection VIC
2. William T. Cooper, Victoria’s Riflebirds at
Topaz, 1993, private collection TAS
3. Patricia Piccinini, Skywhale 2013
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Gift of anonymous donor 2019
Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts
Photo: Martin Ollman Photography

Patricia Piccinini
Skywhales: Every Hearts Sings
A National Gallery of Australia Touring Event
28 August 2021

For one day only, Cairns will witness two giant hot air balloon
sculptures by internationally renowned artist Patricia Piccinini.
A frequent visitor of the Gallery, Piccinini is known for her
imagination, passion and research-driven artworks that reside
somewhere between the real and the hyperreal. Skywhales:
Every Hearts Sings comprises the famous Skywhale (2013) and
a new companion work, Skywhalepapa. Together these works
celebrate the extraordinary diversity of nature and raise complex
questions about evolution and engendered parenting roles
in today’s world. Visit the Gallery’s website for details on the
location and time of launch of the balloons.
One of Piccinini’s earlier works, No Fear of Depths, will also
be presented in the niche gallery space from 28 August to 5
September. This is a deeply evocative work that encourages
conversations around evolution, climate change and the future
of our world. The artist describes it as a gentle work, “a scene of
a young girl resting in the arms of some sort of marine animal
that reminds us that we are nurtured by the nature around us.”
Skywhales: Every Heart Sings is presented in partnership with the
Naomi Milgrom Foundation and supported by The Balnaves
Foundation and the Australian Government.

2

For Wendy, the process of selecting works
for this exhibition has allowed her to
collate more than just the bird paintings
for which he is most famous.
“I think it is interesting for audiences to
see the artistic processes that are involved
in taking a sketch to the state of a finished
painting, also often accompanied by his
notes,” she said.
The exhibition coincides with the launch
of a new book, The botanical art of William
T. Cooper, written by Wendy and published
by the National Library of Australia. It will
be available for purchase in the Gallery
shop, alongside an exclusive range of new 3
merchandise to celebrate the exhibition.
This display is presented in partnership
with the National Library of Australia and MORE: cairnsartgallery.com.au
State Library of NSW.

57 • tropicnow.com.au