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Meet the artists behind Auckland’s Whale Tales Trail

24 Mar 2022

Public art trail Whale Tales is in full swing, with stunning whale tail sculptures painted in Resene colours by adults and kids alike dotted across Auckland. Whale Tales brings a pod of uniquely painted whale tail sculptures to Tāmaki Makaurau – forming a free, family-friendly public art trail for all to enjoy.  

Tails have been inspired by the endangered Bryde’s whale, and tell the “tales” of our moana and how we all have a part to play for a healthy ocean. WWF-New Zealand’s Whale Tales is a Wild in Art event in partnership with Auckland Unlimited and with the support of many other sponsors, including Resene who has assisted with Resene paint and Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield to help colour and protect the tails. Check out these three artists and their unique tail designs that use Resene colours: 

Sarah Kolver: Matariki  

Featured on this tail is Resene Surfie Green, Resene Scrumptious, Resene Poppy, Resene Bright Spark, Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Black and Resene Alabaster.  

Sarah Kolver is a 22-year-old artist based in Rotorua who’s passionate about conservation and the outdoors. “My design explores concepts of Matariki and the stars, as well as alluding to bubbles under the sea through its circular shapes. Under a dark sky of pollution and climate change, bright colours of the ocean bring hope for a better, cleaner future.” 

Sarah first started using Resene paint when she began painting roadside Chorus cabinets in the South Waikato region. “I was blown away with how easy they were to work with and the vibrancy of their hues.” The tail took a month of Sundays to paint. “I was allocated a space in the 

Meadowbank Mall to paint the tail and every weekend I would head over there to paint a few more circles.”  A striking combo of Resene Surfie Green, Resene Scrumptious, Resene Poppy, Resene Bright Spark, Resene Half Resolution Blue, Resene Black and Resene Alabaster makes up her tail’s colour palette.

When she’s not painting whale tails, you’ll find her kayaking on Lake Rotorua or painting in the forest. “I go on adventures – although I’m more about the picnic at the end of them – to paint plywood earrings and pendants for my little business, Blue Puddle Earrings. It’s currently one of a few arty side hustles. My ‘real’ job is as a digital marketing coordinator, but in an ideal world I’ll one day buy a van and travel around the country painting full time.”  

@sarahkolver_art 

Loleni Selesele: Moonbeam  

Loleni’s tail was created with Resene FX Fluoro Yellow, Resene FX Fluoro Pink and Resene FX Fluoro Blue and Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Blackjack, Resene Malibu, Resene Scrumptious and Resene White. 

It took Loleni four weeks to complete ‘Moonbeam’, starting just before Christmas and finishing in the new year. “I was inspired by the bold and visceral experience of neon colours in the evening streetlights of Auckland city, and the many festive characteristics found in its night life. This whale tail represents the diversity in culture and celebration in today's society.” 

Loleni describes his work as a fusion of Traditional Samoan Tatau (tattoo) and unique day to day creations he sees. “A mixture of Samoan Tatau pattern and symbols on the front of the tail highlight a mixture of old traditions.” An overlaying splash of neon colours dripping communicate the flow and fun of celebrating each day, he says. The bold contrasts of Resene FX Fluoro Yellow, Resene FX Fluoro Pink and Resene FX Fluoro Blue with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Blackjack, Resene Malibu, Resene Scrumptious and Resene White has attracted plenty of fans. 

@lol_leni_ 

Janet Lu and Celine Chan: Waves 

Resene St Kilda, Resene Bullitt, Resene Blue Charcoal, Resene Retreat, Resene Java, Resene Havelock Blue, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Governor Bay, Resene Consuela, Resene Turbo, Resene Carpe Diem, Resene Red Hot, Resene Anglaise, Resene White Linen, Resene White, Resene Gold Dust and Resene Stun metallic all feature on this tail. 

Celine and Janet are animation and design graduates from AUT who love getting creative, no matter the medium or challenge. They met in class and bonded over their passion for nature and travelling, which is how their trip to Niue came about. It is still considered one of their favourite adventures and is where they fell more in love with the ocean and wildlife. 

”Everything in our ecosystem is interlinked – a cascade effect like “Waves”. Drawing inspiration from our travels and the New Zealand coastline, we chose to depict the Australasian Gannets (tākapu) – a signature sight in our country that connects the land and ocean.” 

Gannets hunt for fish, and they, in turn, feed on other marine life. But with the increasing ocean pollution, both have a higher risk of feeding on human-induced debris such as plastics. “We want to raise awareness of existing environmental issues by illustrating these elements, and we hope to spark curiosity and positive change.”  

Their message is conveyed in colour with Resene St Kilda, Resene Bullitt, Resene Blue Charcoal, Resene Retreat, Resene Java, Resene Havelock Blue, Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Governor Bay, Resene Consuela, Resene Turbo, Resene Carpe Diem, Resene Red Hot, Resene Anglaise, Resene White Linen, Resene White, Resene Gold Dust and Resene Stun metallic. 

@cien_e and @_adllu 

When the trail ends, the small tails will head to local schools to enjoy, and the larger tails will be auctioned to raise funds for WWF-New Zealand’s vital work to protect and restore the Hauraki Gulf/Tikapa Moana/Te Moananui-ā-Toi. The trail runs until 18 April 2022.

Published: 24 Mar 2022