If you go down to the woods wharf today, you’re in for a big surprise. Because a colossal four-storey tall blue whale sculpture has just been unveiled, and can be seen leaping out of Canary Wharf‘s waters – serving as a striking reminder of the millions of tonnes of plastic waste in our oceans.
Designed by artist/architect duo, Jason Klimoski and Lesley Changethe sculpture – titled Whale on the Wharf – is an intricate mosaic of recycled plastic waste that was found on Hawaiian beaches. Spotlighting the rather bleak fact that there is now (pound for pound) more plastic in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans than there are whales; the installation is the latest addition to Canary Wharf’s plethora of public artwork. Which just so happens to be the largest collection of free-to-visit outdoor public artwork in the UK.
NYC-based architecture and design firm, Studiocaworked alongside the Hawaii Wildlife Fund to comb the beaches of Hawaii for the plastic waste that was then used to create the spectacular sculpture. With around 150 million tonnes of plastic now swimming in our oceans, the 11-metre high Whale on the Wharf showcases the Canary Wharf Group’s ongoing commitment to reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
On the topic of circular economy, the base of the sculpture is just as sustainable as the whale itself. A first of its kind; the low-carbon underwater base is made of spent coffee groundscollected from some of the many coffee shops and bars on Canary Wharf. The braced structure that supports the artwork is also made from recovered and reused steel.
Artists, Jason Klimoski and Lesley Changsaid: “A whale is the largest mammal in the water, and it felt like the right form to take in order to show the scope and scale of the problem. There is more plastic swimming in our oceans than there are whales. Whale on the Wharf is a physical example of why we need to change how we use and dispose of plastic in the world today, and we’re thrilled to be showcasing this piece for the first time in the UK in Canary Wharf’s waters.”
Lowri HarriesAssociate Curator at CWG, said: “We are very proud to unveil such a thought-provoking and impactful installation as part of our permanent public art collection, particularly one that is as meaningful as it is visually striking. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the recycled plastic used in the sculpture – the installation process has also been carefully considered to reduce its carbon footprint. Whether visitors come to the Wharf specifically to see this iconic sculpture up close, or it catches their eye when passing through, we hope it provides everyone with some pause for thought.”
