New Skywhale hot air balloon, Skywhalepapa, debuts in Canberra but unfavourable weather keeps sculpture on the ground

It’s an enormous mammalian sculpture that stands more than 30 metres high but the hot air balloon’s creator hopes any momentary confusion people may have when they see Skywhalepapa soon gives way to thoughts of comfort and care.

Skywhalepapa, the spouse of the initially controversial Skywhale balloon, was officially unveiled this morning at a dawn event outside the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle.

But unfavourable wind conditions meant the balloons were unable to take their first flight together across the capital, and they remained tethered.

Around 2,000 spectators who secured tickets to the sold-out event, and thousands more on and around Lake Burley Griffin, were still able to get a good view of the…