A whale in Plett – a short story
Plett resident, Derek Saul discusses how the idea and construction behind the magnificent recycled Whale artwork on Central Beach came about.
The Plett artwork has been strategically placed at Central Beach to create awareness and to also create a focal point for one of Plett’s most popular beaches. “Feed Me and Not the Sea” is the slogan.
“On the 13th of June 2019, a friend of mine, Jacqueline de Villiers posted a meme of a giant fish filled with garbage called Goby on Plett in Stereo with the title – ‘I think this is a great idea – Plett artists?’ I immediately responded stating that I could weld a giant fish and thus began the start of my two-year journey.
“I was contacted by Fran Molloy who already had this in mind and had contacted a local bin maker to get the ball rolling. I remember our first meeting at Bar Del Mar where we deviated from a giant fish to a whale, which we all agreed would be more appropriate for Plett. I did a small sketch on a piece of paper and from there on the whale was born.
“From the onset, we didn’t feel that people would respond well to a wire-form fish/whale covered in chicken wire – my reasoning was that it would become unsightly, as there was no way we could dictate the rubbish inside or the content of the rubbish being just plastic. I didn’t like the idea of people throwing food scraps in that could potentially start leaking out.
“Further I felt that it would be difficult for the bin cleaners to have to climb in and physically remove the rubbish by hand, which could pose a health risk and be unpleasant for those involved. Little did we know Covid was around the corner and I’m happy with our decision to rather create a picture with chosen waste and rather have a wheelie bin inside, making it an easy task to empty the bin.
“The initial hard work was now firmly on Fran’s plate, she needed to raise funds to achieve this beautiful dream. Fran took on the challenge with grace and determination, sharing her passion for the project with many local businesses and NGOs who agreed to donate money towards realising the message, ‘feed me not the sea’. Thanks to her hard work we now have a sculpture that I believe expresses the people of Plettenberg Bay’s vision of a greener future and care for our beautiful beaches and seas.
“Without the support of local businesses, local individuals, local NGOs, Cape Nature, Plettenberg Bay Tourism, and our municipality, this project would not have been realized, it is truly a Plett project and a message that we can all be truly proud of.
“I began proper drawings in July 2019, and through a series of meetings, we fine-tuned our sculpture and the message we wanted it to convey. Initially, it took a while to get the project going as raising funds based on an idea and drawings isn’t easy,
Luckily and thankfully, Mark Brown from Natures Valley Trust offered his help and funds to kick start the project. This action added to permission granted by the Municipality and having Alison Bryant of Keep Plett Clean on board gave legitimacy to our project and a very firm footing for fundraising began.
“In Jan of 2020, I started with some small scrap steel fish, that would eventually populate the whale. I wanted to use scrap elements in the sculpture that would express recycling and re-purposing objects. I felt this was vital for us in this day and age and I wanted to create awareness around this subject as part of the message behind the whale.
“I didn’t want the scrap to be exposed, where it could potentially cause harm to someone. We decided to encase the scrap in a softer steel form which formed the sculpture thereafter.
“Enclosed in our steel form is a bin, this is the primary reason for the sculpture and I hope it will continue to raise awareness with regards to throwing waste away and keeping our beautiful beaches pristine and litter-free.
“Further, with the assistance of Cape Nature, who work tirelessly in protecting our ocean and beaches, I was able to get hold of confiscated nets and fish traps, which we placed inside the whale. The message here is straightforward, overfishing, poaching, and fishing litter is killing our oceans and doing immeasurable harm – let’s try to be aware of this and protect our amazing planet.
Then Covid hit ………
“Covid brought my work to a grinding halt, as I was unable to get the welding supplies needed to continue since as an artist and I was essentially UN-essential.
“It was a difficult year for all of us and due to the need for funds needed elsewhere in our beautiful community, it was more difficult to push an idea for a sculpture when people were suffering so badly.
“In late 2020, the work commenced again, and bar a few snags continued through to June 2021 when the sculpture was finally finished.
“I would especially like to thank Fran Molloy and Dermot Molloy for their patience, resolve, and hard work in seeing this sculpture come to fruit, much respect to you.
“As well, thank you, Jen Goodwin, Stephen Jofirisi, Cornelius Graafland, and Lyn for all your assistance.
“Last but not least a big thank you goes to the following businesses and people who played a huge part in the making of the whale in no particular order – Natures Valley Trust – Mark Brown, Duncan Hay, Kirwan Strydom, and Caitlan Judge, Bitou Municipality Councillor Dave Swart, Johnny Prins, Douglas Baartman and Mark Fourie, Keep Plett Clean -Alison Bryant, Plett Tourism – Cindy Wilson-Trollip and Patty Vollert Butterworth, Ocean Blue Adventures, Moby Dicks, Stargate, The Plettenberg, Health, and Fitness Centre Plett, EK & R, Sotheby’s International Realty Plett, Crush Surf, Fisanthoek Brewing, Wine Roots, the Hellman Family, the Grand Lookout, and all the many people, too many to mention that gave so generously and made this project a reality.
“I believe there is soon to be a competition out there for naming our whale, I would like to add my idea for a name- I would call it ‘Hope – the whale’, I hope it teaches people to think more carefully about where they throw their waste and inspires people to re-use and re-cycle. And I hope so dearly that we as humans learn to live in harmony with our beautiful planet and not put profit before nature.
“I’ve included an album with photos covering the process of making the whale, plus photos taken by local residents of Plett that I feel really do the sculpture and the setting justice.” ~ Derek Saul.