The Territory Wildlife Park, in collaboration with Tactile Arts has unveiled a community art installation to raise awareness of the fragility of coral reef systems and the impact global warming is having on marine animals.  

Located within the Park’s Aquarium, the project showcases a series of large pylons that have crocheted and knitted coral reef elements ‘growing’ on them.

Territory Wildlife Park Artistic/Narrative Officer Jasmine Jan said the art installation demonstrated differing levels of coral health. 

“This display is a three dimensional artistic installation consisting of six large jetty pylons,” Ms Jan said.

“The first pylon represents healthy bright crochet coral, the second pylon is a mixture of healthy and starting to fade coral.

“The last pylon represents a dead coral reef; it is completely white with no animals. This shows that without healthy reef systems many amazing marine creatures cannot survive.”

Over 170 volunteers from across Australia contributed to the project, with their work now on display for Park visitors.

“This challenging project required thousands of coral reef elements to be crocheted and knitted so a volunteer call went out last year. An overwhelming response was received with so many talented people contributing both locally and interstate.

“The detail that has been achieved in some of these crocheted, knitted and needle-felted animals is incredible and it is truly an underwater spectacle to be able to take it all in.

“I challenge visitors to take the time and see how many sea creatures they can actually find hiding in amongst the corals.

“We are proud to unveil this yearlong project on National Threatened Species Day.”

Volunteer Lesley Every said creating a giant orange octopus called Feelix was a bit a challenge, but worth the effort.

“It was the size and the look of the octopus that won me over. He was rather awkward to knit as I used double yarn on small needles and starting out with a set of four needles was a bit difficult.

“I ended up using five double pointed needles at one stage, just so I could get around him,” Ms Every said.

For further information please visit www.territorywildlifepark.com.au

Media Contact – Simon Ferguson 0428 664 235