12 Lunar Lanterns by Erika Zhu 2024

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Catch a glimpse of our 12 beautiful lanterns as they lead you down George Street and intoHaymarket. These 12 animals, each standing at an impressive 4 metres tall, are infused with a playful charm that beckons joy and character.

Designed with a simple and blobby aesthetic, each lantern lends an endearing naivety thatappeals to the inner child within us all. The soft rounded outlines evoke a friendly andwelcoming vibe, a gesture of open arms to the Asian Australian community in a moment ofcelebration for the Lunar New Year.

Under each lantern is a supporting plinth, intricately designed with unique floral patterns thatblends contemporary design and timeless Chinese tapestries. Each pattern is designed torepresent a meaning particular to the given Zodiac animal.

Altogether, both the lanterns and plinths feature scarlet red, a symbol of luck in Chineseculture, emerald green, a nod to the revered Jade mineral. This is combined with othercontemporary colours to create a visual symphony resonating with the spirit of fun andpositivity.

Come to George Street during the Sydney Lunar Festival and be enchanted by whimsicallanterns, each a radiant beacon of celebration. With joyful expressions and imaginativeshapes, they warmly invite everyone to join the festivities and embrace the new year.

About the artist

Erika, a Sydney-based 3D artist, draws inspiration from her diverse upbringing in HongKong and Japan before settling in Australia. Her childhood was a blend of uniqueexperiences, from playing SuperMario64 with her aunt to triumphing in Beybladecompetitions during her primary school years.

Early passions for computer puzzle games and animated sitcoms shaped Erika's imaginativespirit, laying the foundation for her eventual journey into animation. Despite holding a lawdegree and receiving classical piano training, Erika chose to follow her creative instincts,immersing herself in the world of animation and illustration.

In her current work, Erika infuses playfulness, silliness, and naivety, evident in her vibrantuse of colours, character design, and storylines. This artistic approach serves as a nostalgichomage to her childhood, a time she cherishes and seeks to relive through her creations.Her latest work, 'Al Nafs' placed first in a creative collaboration project with Genesis MotorsAustralia. To explore this and more of her portfolio, visit erikazhu.com.