Good afternoon everyone,

I had an idea for Fem Fri, then I found the art of Nahoko Kojima and my preconceptions about what to write just went right out of the window. Look at this awesome whale (that's Nahoko Kojima looking at it too so you can see it is lifesize):

Using techniques that are unique to her, she transforms washi (a type of artisanal Japanese paper) into […] a 32-metre-long whale. […] the whole surface is covered with complex patterns that demonstrate Nahoko Kojima’s dexterity. The immense sculpture made from cut paper therefore appears, in spite of its size, to float just above the ground.

https://pen-online.com/arts/nahoko-kojimas-monumental-yet-poetic-paper-sculptures/

Here's more great whale art, this time by the Salish artist Kelly Cannell:

I can't find any interviews online but you can visit her website here:

https://www.kellycannell.com/

And finally, here's Karen Hattman talking about her commission for the Bonehenge (great name) Whale Center:

In the abdomen you will find a full stomach of the sperm whale’s favorite food…squid. Deep in the belly is the “new moon” to symbolize the waxing and waning of the tides of the ocean in which the whale frolics. Above, along the top, are the ribs capturing the air brought in through the blowhole and down the back is the spine leading to the feminine tail. The tail contains small bird spirit representations to give lift to the tail as it moves the whale through the ocean.

https://bonehenge.org/spirit-sperm-whale-painting-at-bonehenge

🐳,

Alex.