A stunning new sculpture depicting the annual migration of humpback whales is the latest addition to Shellharbour City Council’s Lake Illawarra Art Trail.
The striking piece comprises two whales’ tails and is titled Long Distance. It is located next to the newly completed beachside play space in Bardsley Park, Shellharbour.
Multi-disciplinary artist Carla Gottgens said her sculpture encouraged interaction, discovery, playfulness and exploration.
“Long Distance shows the playful tail positions so often captured in photographs,” Ms Gottgens said.
“It features triangular panels, each displaying a photograph or illustration depicting the different seas the humpback whale passes through on its annual long-distance voyage.
“The photographic panels adorning the facets of each tail are a compilation of drone photos intermixed with illustrations and geometric imagery of sea swells and water movement.”
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the sculpture was a wonderful addition to the city’s growing public art collection and congratulated the artist on her work.
“Ms Gottgens has done an amazing job capturing the beauty of the humpback whale migration off our coastline,” Mayor Homer said.
“Seeing these majestic creatures frolic as they make their journey each year is such a joyful, awe-inspiring experience.
“The Lake Illawarra Art Trail has become extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. This new sculpture will be enjoyed by the many people who visit Bardsley Park and Shellharbour North Beach,” he said.
The Lake Illawarra Art Trail, along with heritage trails around the area, can be found on the Tread Shellharbour App, which is available from the App Store and Google Play Store.
