I have serious doubts, but this is her event, Fat Swim Wellington, a tri-monthly gathering of fat folk coming together to frolic in the water – without having to think or worry about anything except how bloody nice it is to frolic in the water – so it’s entirely possible she knows more about it than I do.
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Shrill, you know what I’m talking about: big, beautiful babes, pop music, a pool and zero judgment. This is the second such event McLeod has thrown, and it’s going swimmingly. There are about 30 people of various ages and genders having a great time, playing pool volley ball, doing laps – there was even a somewhat splashy attempt at synchronised swimming there for a minute – and then there’s me, clinging to a railing for dear life, having an existential crisis.
“I wanted to create a dynamic, playful, friendly illustration,” she said. She was inspired by the many activities available on the suburb’s back doorstep, from walking and mountain biking to the wildlife at Zealandia. “[It’s about] human activities and wildlife in harmony.”
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Hong was inspired by the many activities available on the suburb’s back doorstep, from walking and mountain biking to the wildlife at Zealandia. Several plants and birds were embedded in the mural: Mamaku, Tree Fuschia, Kākā, Kākāriki, Little Spotted Kiwi and Tītipounamu. The background shows Karori’s geographical landscape in the meeting point of the two continental plates beneath our feet; the Australian and Pacific plates.