Carolina Caycedo

Artist Carolina Caycedo's interdisciplinary practice spans various media, including murals, books, performance art, video, photomontage, sculpture, and installation. In her work 'Salute of the Whales', she continues her exploration of "portraiture," presenting a subjectivity that transcends human perspectives.

This exhibition captures the presence of two humpback whales, Aliyah and Batman. These artistic installations soar gracefully, showcasing the whales in a space that rises about 34 metres high and spans five floors. This immersive experience allows audiences to engage with the whales from multiple angles, prompting introspection about the intricate relationships that bind humans to marine life.

The story of the female whale, Aliyah, is particularly poignant. Born in 2022, she carries the weight of her lineage etched into her very being. Her mother, Fran, sadly passed away due to a ship strike, while her grandmother, River, was last seen in 2015, suffering from the scars of entanglement in fishing nets. Caycedo poignantly illustrates the silhouettes of Fran and River on Aliyah’s back, resembling a tattoo that tells a powerful narrative of matrilineal bonds and migratory memories. These artistic embroideries serve as profound reminders of the personal histories tied to each whale and the harsh realities they face due to human interference. The last sighting of Aliyah off the coast of California on 9 September 2025 adds a layer of urgency to her story.

In contrast, the male whale, Batman, presents a narrative that intertwines resilience with the scars of survival. Identified as an adult in 1988, Batman has endured significant trauma over his 40-plus years. His body bears both visible marks from encounters with ships and fellow whales and invisible scars from over 108 different toxins found in his skin and fat tissues. The last sighting of Batman near Nayarit, Mexico, on 8 December 2025, serves as another poignant reminder of the fragility of these creatures amidst escalating environmental threats.

The eyes of Aliyah and Batman, crafted from polished obsidian, invite observers to confront their own reflections and engage in a dialogue about their role in the ocean's well-being. In this exhibition, viewers are urged to acknowledge the profound ripples wrought by human activity, disturbing nature's delicate balance and challenging the cycles of life within our oceans.

Carolina Caycedo: A Tribute to Whales is co-hosted by the Museum of Art Pudong and Tate Britain and produced by Shanghai Lujiazui (Group) Co., Ltd.