ArtPlay introduces The Colour and Sound of My Totem

Imagination and role play through the intimate connection of the land is set to come alive in ArtPlay’s latest July offering, The Colour and Sound of my Totem.

Children will be given the opportunity to tap into their imagination and be bold in their creativity by envisaging themselves roaming through the bush, scurrying across the red earth of the desert and climbing rocks along the shoreline.

Kokatha/Mirning musician Bart Willoughby will take participants on a journey, sharing his totems, the Whale and the Eagle, which are his spiritual guides connecting him to his Country from both the desert and sea.

Together with Bart, the young artists will use an array of instruments to find their own rhythm, and to explore their chosen totem through various sounds.

Artist Frances Loriente will then guide the children as they create their own interpretation of their totem – a sculptural collage of colour, texture, shape and pattern made from recycled packaging.

Wiradjuri singer and storyteller Shauntai Batzke will show the young artists how to express with words, then vocalise how they connect with their animal totem.

The young artists will cap off the day by sharing the vibration of all the spirit animals with their family when they perform the totem song and display their artwork on a giant sculptural echidna.

The Colour and Sound of my Totem will take place at ArtPlay at Birrarung Marr on July 2-3.

Bookings are essential and the program is suited to children aged seven to ten years of age.