A member of Canberra’s most famous – and controversial – hot air balloon family has been immortalised in a knitting pattern.
Fans of artist Patricia Piccinini’s infamous Skywhale balloon can now create the multi-bosomed creature in wool.
Local Canberra knitter Katy Griffis developed the pattern, complete with details of knitting techniques, stitches and abbreviations, to create a 35cm Skywhale stuffed toy.
The Skywhale balloon was originally created as part of a commission to mark the centenary of Canberra. It was built by Cameron Balloons in the UK and first flew in Australia in 2013.
The balloon’s design received a mixed response after it was publicly unveiled that same year.
It has since been displayed around the world, and was acquired by the National Gallery of Australia in 2019.
This year’s hot air balloon festival in Canberra – which runs until March 14 – features a new addition to the Skywhale family – ‘Skywhalepapa’, a monumental sculpture in the form of a hot-air balloon and companion piece to Skywhale.
Skywhale and Skywhalepapa will travel nationally in 2021–22 as a National Gallery of Australia Touring Exhibition thanks to the Principal Patronage of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, supported by Visions of Australia.
Venues and dates will be announced soon, and you can follow the skywhales’ journey throughout the tour with #WhereAreTheSkywhales on Twitter.
To download the knitting pattern – click here.
