Des McKenna O.A.M – Woodcarver & Sculptor

Mr Sam Dhingra's Whale

The major portion of the carving of this commission took place on the corner of Bourke and Swanston Streets in the CBD of the City of Melbourne. A great deal of interest was created among passers-by who asked many questions of Des.

The whale was commissioned by prominent Melbourne businessman Mr Sam Dhingra in 1995 has been donated by him to the new Melbourne Museum in the Carlton Gardens, Carlton and was installed in the main East-West Gallery of the Museum in November 2000

Its location close to the entrance of the special children's area has created much interest
and favourable comment from Museum visitors.

A polycarbonate screen in the form of a wave was added during 2001 as an added precaution against children climbing on and falling off the whale's flippers. It is anticipated that some marine symbols such as seaweed and small fish will be added to this screen
as decoration at some future date.

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