Sphen and Magic
Earthenware, glaze, gold lustre and mixed media
This work celebrates Sphen and Magic, the now-famous male gentoo penguin couple from Sea
Life Sydney Aquarium. Their story—forming a same-sex bond, adopting an egg, and
successfully raising two chicks—captured hearts around the world. More than just penguins,
they became powerful symbols of love, equality, and the beauty of chosen family. Their impact
reached far beyond the aquarium, inspiring a Mardi Gras float, inclusion in the NSW education
curriculum, and even a Netflix series.
I created this piece to honour their story and to reflect on the broader movement for marriage
equality—both in Australia and in Thailand, where the conversation continues to evolve. The
crowned penguins stand proudly on a heart-shaped base: a symbol of pure, enduring love.
Their crowns elevate them as quiet icons of progress, power, and possibility.
On a personal note, this work also marks a deeply meaningful moment in my own life. I made it
to celebrate my wedding to my partner of nearly 30 years—a love that, like Sphen and Magic’s,
has grown stronger through time, care, and shared commitment. It is a tribute not only to public
milestones in LGBTQIA+ rights, but also to the quiet, everyday love stories that sustain us.
By working in clay—a material that is both fragile and enduring—I aim to preserve this
contemporary love story as a tender, timeless object. One that speaks to activism, affection, and
the ongoing journey toward equality, both in our societies and in our hearts.