Totem-ly awesome
Brightly coloured totem poles are appearing in Knox.
In October and November, over 100 community members took part in a public arts-based project to create vibrant, visual representations of their experiences of COVID-19 and lockdown. Participants were led through a conversation by artist Liz Norman and then invited to decorate a piece of totem pole with words, symbols or images that represented this time.
Participants, including 40 members of our senior community and 80 parents and children from local playgroups, reflected on the impact of COVID-19. They talked about time spent apart from loved ones during lockdowns as well as some positive experiences including spending more time in the garden and local parks, making better connections in their local neighbourhoods, and having the opportunity to reassess priorities.
These specially designed totems have now been assembled into 11 stunning totem poles. 8 totem poles are installed at the Carrington Park Leisure Centre entry garden beds, while 3 totem poles have been installed at the Knox Children and Family Centre - Bayswater. Community members are invited to visit and inspect the artwork to reflect on their own experiences of COVID-19.
Video courtesy of Liz Norman from Frothybetty Creative Productions.
Knox City Council acknowledges the financial support of the Victorian Government for this project through the Multicultural Communications Outreach Program.
COVID-19 Safe Practices
A friendly reminder that COVID-19 has not gone away. The number of people with the virus is rising, and so is the number of people getting sick and being hospitalised.
Follow these simple steps to protect yourself from COVID this summer:
- Wear a mask if you are indoors in crowded public places (such as shopping centres or public transport)
- Get vaccinated and get your booster vaccine (everyone aged 30 years or over are eligible for 4 doses)
- Move events and get-togethers from inside to outside whenever possible
- Stay home if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19
What's happening
