LOCKDOWN for Ballarat artist Emily Van Der Molen has been spent with a giant UooUoo.
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The creatures, created as a cross between a wombat and dugong, will soon emerge on trails about Melbourne and Geelong for people to explore before later being auctioned off for charity.
Designers a coat for her UooUoo was a fun and challenging experience for Ms Van Der Molen, adapting to the UooUoo's large size and shape.
Ms Van Der Molen with Ballarat Indigenous artists Deanne Gilson and Josh Muir are among 100 creatives chosen to bring the UooUoo (pronounced you-you) to life with different personalities and styles to support the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and its 150th anniversary.
The fundraising venture had been planned before the coronavirus pandemic and event organisers are waiting for the most appropriate time to bring the UooUoo out of hibernation for display.
Ms Van Der Molen was proud to be involved in supporting the Royal Children's Hospital, which helps the state's sickest children including many Ballarat families.
Her UooUoo features 150 rainbows - and she encourages families to count them - to represent the hospital's 150 years.
"I've learnt a lot about what they do through one of my daughter's friends family, they were the ones who first saw the project and said you should have a go," Ms Van Der Molen said.
"My practice is very much colour, everything bright and joyous.
"The coat for my UooUoo has that nice tie-in with rainbows as a symbol for hope."
UooUoo will be shared about on trails in Stonnington, Moonee Valley and Port Phillip councils. People will also be able to find UooUoo in central Geelong and along the waterfront.
They are set to pop up in laneways, streets and public places.
The aim is for each UooUoo to spark different conversations.
Deanne Gilson transformed her UooUoo into a Bunyip, which means devil in Wadawurrung language.
The Bunyip is a mythological creature with a fur coat, duck bill, crocodile skin and devil horns who lives in swamps. His story stems from Ms Gilson's ancestors in pre-colonial times in Waurn Ponds, Geelong. The Bunyip was said to have hugged its prey to death.
Ms Gilson said it was fun way to share a story and help support care for sick children.
Josh Muir's UooUoo design is yet to be unveiled.
All UooUoo will be sponsored to ensure that all money raised from their auction will go to RCH.
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