Two life size whales, made from Somerset willow and 70,000 upcycled plastic bottles, are unveiled in Bristol - European Green Capital

Life size whale art makes a splash in Bristol

In Bristol over the summer? Here’s a piece of public art you won’t be able to miss – because it’s huge!

A sculpture of two life size whales, made from Somerset willow and 70,000 upcycled plastic bottles, has been unveiled in Bristol to mark the city’s status as the UK’s first European Green Capital.

We think they look absolutely stunning! This is what public art should be – playful, awesome and thought-provoking, and what a great opportunity to raise the issue of marine conservation with kids. Make sure you see them before they swim away in September.

Two life size whales, made from Somerset willow and 70,000 upcycled plastic bottles, are unveiled in Bristol - European Green Capital

Weighing a mighty six tonnes, The Bristol Whales are currently splashing about in Bristol’s Millennium Square and will be on display until 1 September 2015. The artwork depicts a blue whale and humpback whale swimming through an ‘ocean’ of plastic bottles, and represents the fragility of our oceans and the increasing threat of plastic pollution.

The Bristol Whales, with artist Sue Lipscombe from Cod Steaks
The Bristol Whales, with artist Sue Lipscombe from Cod Steaks

Visitors can add their own pledge message in a virtual bottle using The Bristol Whales app, which will then be displayed on a Big Screen above the whales. The Bristol Whales has been designed and built by Cod Steaks, initiated by Arts Project Earth and funded by Arts Council England.

Two life size whales, made from Somerset willow and 70,000 upcycled plastic bottles, are unveiled in Bristol - European Green Capital 2

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Kerry Law

Kerry Law (Founding Editor, Goodtrippers): I'm a PR and writer living in London. Since taking my first trip aged 2yrs (all the way from from NZ to the UK) I've loved travel. As a keen advocate of ecotourism and responsible travel, I decided to start Goodtrippers...

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