One Million stars to end violence

13 April 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa invited to weave stars for One Million Stars to End Violence arts installation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Samoan Australian weaving artist, Maryann Talia Pau, is in Samoa to promote her international community arts project, One Million Stars to End Violence. 

For her initial visit, Maryann is inviting locals to her artist talks and star weaving workshops with the hope of helping to establish a Star Weave Community – a community of star weavers pledging to weave and collect 10,000 stars.

 “Every man, woman and child around the world is welcome to learn how to weave these simple and beautiful symbols of light, courage and solidarity,” she says. 

The stars are being collected by Maryann for a spectacular arts installation for the Games in just under two years from now. 

“Stars from Samoa, my island home, would be very special indeed. It shows that they are just as dedicated and passionate about ending all forms of physical and psychological violence and that they are keen to support the arts as a powerful platform to discuss critical issues like ending violence against women.” 

First launched in 2012, as a personal response to the escalating racial, domestic and family violence, it was the rape and murder of ABC journalist Jill Meagher that sparked the artist’s imagination to see one million stars in a stellar installation. 

“One Million represents how enormous this work is, and that collaboration and courage is vital for this installation to be a success.”

The Queensland government launched the project in February as its first cultural and community collaboration for the GC2018 arts and cultural program. 

“I’m thrilled that they see the power of community engagement through art and that they are supporting my travel across the Commonwealth this year, including Samoa, Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the U.K. and Canada, to share the project and run star weaving workshops for locals to share throughout their communities. 

“My goal is to invite as many people as possible to weave stars, to connect our light and years of work to build peaceful, just and creative communities. 

“Through Star Weave Communities, we give others ownership to apply the message of light, courage and solidarity to their context. Communities know what their issues are and what needs to be done. The stars are a simple, beautiful way to showcase their resilience, healing and stories; that we care and want safety for everyone.”

 “There are lots of ways for people to get involved, including weaving individually or as a Star Weave Community. It’s fun to weave with others and easier to reach your goal as well! Include your sporting clubs, faith communities, schools or have a workplace lunch and get your star weave on.”

Maryann is in Samoa for this week to promote her project and anticipates another visit in November as part of the 16 Days of Activism.

Workshops and artist talk are scheduled for today, Wednesday 13 April, 2pm-4pm and Saturday 16 April 12pm-2pm at the Vanya Taule’alo Gallery and is supported by U.N. Women. Materials provided. Please bring scissors. Please RSVP your interest with an email to [email protected] or text 7266264. 

To register your interest in establishing a Star Weave Community, complete the registration form at www.onemillionstars.net and email to [email protected]. For other ways to get involved, please visit the website for more information.

 


13 April 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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