Run For Ocean Whale

On 12th September 2026, Raffles University joined community partners at the Run For Ocean Carnival 2026, hosted at University of Reading Malaysia. Serving as an official Ocean Art Exhibition Supporting Partner, Raffles University participated through its Faculty of Arts & Design – Fashion Design, collaborating with Delay Department and JCI Austin to champion sustainability through creative upcycling.

Transforming Waste into Public Art

The collaborative project engaged students and community members in hands-on art-making, using discarded clothing, plastic bottles, nylon ropes, and fishing nets to construct three large-scale installations designed to spark conversation around ocean conservation:

‘Open Wound’ Whale Art Installation: Measuring approximately 12 to 15 metres in length, this large-scale upcycled whale sculpture served as the central feature of the exhibition. Constructed using denim fabric, plastic waste, and discarded nets, the piece highlights the stark contrast between the natural beauty of marine life and the reality of plastic pollution inside marine ecosystems.

‘The Tide We Leave Behind’ Handprint Mural: A participatory pre-run installation where participants added colourful handprints to a whale canvas, symbolising a collective promise and shared responsibility to safeguard ocean health.

‘Blooms Beneath the Blue’ Side-Wall Installation: Spanning 5 to 8 metres along the wall, this installation repurposed driftwood, fishing nets, and discarded plastic bags into ocean flora, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into artistic representations of hope.

Fostering Environmental Awareness Through Design

Through the active participation of the Faculty of Arts & Design – Fashion Design, Raffles University demonstrated how creative disciplines can act as powerful mediums for environmental advocacy. By engaging students in practical upcycling and public art creation, the initiative underscored the importance of sustainable thinking and creative action within the community.

Raffles University extends its appreciation to primary organiser JCI Austin, venue host University of Reading Malaysia, Delay Department, and all participating partners for orchestrating an impactful event centred on ocean sustainability.