Pop Up Penguins
These works were completed as part of a 2020 Wild n Art project that saw 50 penguin sculptures installed across Ōtautahi, as part of an art trail that encouraged locals to seek out each penguin and discover unique aspects of the city. Each penguin represented a local taonga or expressed an attribute or concept that is uniquely Christchurch. After nine weeks on display, the penguins were auctioned to raise money for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre, combining the excitement and joy of public art with a tangible benefit for the community.
Morgan Mathews-Hale was commissioned to design and decorate three sculptures, each with its own personality and story to tell.
At the completion of the project, Pāua, Pererū, and Kia Manawaroa raised a collective $58,000 for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre.
Kia Manawaroa.
Kia Manawaroa, aka Tank, interprets Tank Evans (from the animated film Surf’s Up) in a contemporary Te Waipounamu Māori style. This artwork reflects the resilience and determination of Ōtautahi, as the city continues to adapt and transform through trying times.
Piri Pāua
Pāua had an extraordinary journey; at the start of the project, the US Air Force 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron offered to take one of the penguin sculptures on an adventure to the Antarctic! Morgan gave the little penguin a realistic pāua texture to stand out in the Antarctic landscape and made sure he had a kete packed for his trip.
Pererū.
Pererū had a quieter time, spending his nine weeks at the Riverside Market disguised as a Kererū, a taonga species native to the area. What could be better than a large, plump Kererū to watch over Riverside, a space that celebrates the gathering of community around food? Pererū was covered in individual feathers - not an easy task for Morgan to complete in just four days, but one that had a striking outcome.