DESPITE the launch of ‘Skywhales: Every Heart Sings’ being postponed, the community was still provided with opportunities to interact with internationally renowned artist, Patricia Piccinini, at the three successful events held over the weekend.

The first of the events was an Artist Talk with Ms Piccinini held last Friday at Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, where locals were provided with a look into how she interrogates the complex relationship between natural and artificial worlds through her art.

An in-conversation brunch was also held at The Royal Mail Hotel’s Parker Street Project on Saturday, where Ms Piccinini spoke alongside locally based zoologist and conservationist, Bill Weatherly, with the final event being an Art Steps program at Hamilton Gallery, for children and their families.

Hamilton Gallery artistic director, Joshua White, said all three events held over the weekend were “a great success” despite the postponed launch.

“It was a big cultural weekend for the Gallery, Hamilton, and the Western District,” he said.

“Artist, Patricia Piccinini had three big events over the few days.

“The NGA and Patricia were very generous with their time and went to a great effort.

“We even squeezed in an opening during the weekend events.”

Mr White said many locals attended the events and expressed their interest in Ms Piccinini’s work and artistic process, which allowed them to form “a real connection” to her.

“The community really did show their support for the Gallery over the last few days,” he said.

“We not only had a large turnout for the artist talk but all other events were booked out.

“Patricia is an internationally significant artist and it was great for her to experience our town.

“(She) took the time to speak with everyone and everyone had the opportunity to engage with her.

“That’s what made these events special, there was real connection.”

Mr White said it was not only the beautiful local landscape that attracted artists such as Ms Piccinini to the Hamilton area, but the community.

“The community is really something special and these people see that,” he said.  

“They are smart, generous and giving and that really shines through when these people visit.

“The community is the reason they visit and keep returning.

“Patricia absolutely loved this place and it was so fantastic to see her visiting local cafes like the Hamilton Hamper, going Op shopping, and connecting with all the locals.”

The launch of ‘Skywhales: Every Heart Sings’ is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, at Dunkeld Consolidated School, with gates opening at 6am for a 7am launch.