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Silently Stirring

21 March – 8 June 2009  | Children’s Gallery

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Transforming ourselves and the objects around us

Some mystical beings can transform themselves into animals. We can do the same with the help of masks. When we put on a mask, we can change into the animal or being that the mask represents.

Ken Thaiday Sr’s Beizam (shark) dance mask transforms the person who wears it into an underwater creature. Papua New Guinean artists, Timothy Akis and Barnabus India, have created exciting prints inspired by the spirit beings and masks used by their people.

Through the creative process, artists can transform materials into amazing objects. Can you find two parrots chatting? In Chatting up, Rosalie Gascoigne has used materials she has found to create a work of art. Vivienne Pengilley also used recycled materials for her colourful work Tapestry lady bird (Triantiwontigong).

Choose an artwork from below and click through to find a fun activity.

 

image: Barnabas India Dancing mask 1975 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Ulli and Georgina Beier Collection, purchased 2005Barnabas India Dancing mask 1975
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Ulli and Georgina Beier Collection, purchased 2005
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image: Louise Weaver Invisible bird 1997 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Gift of Peter Fay 2005Louise Weaver Invisible bird 1997
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Gift of Peter Fay 2005
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image: Louise Weaver Snowy Owl 2001<br> National Gallery of Australia, Canberra <br> Gift of Peter Fay 2005Louise Weaver  Snowy Owl 2001
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Gift of Peter Fay 2005
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image: Zuni people Wakasi, cow kachina doll c1910-1940 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Max Ernst Collection, purchased 1985Zuñi people Wakasi, cow kachina doll [Cow Kachina Doll called "Wakasi"] c 1910-1940
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Max Ernst Collection, purchased 1985
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image: Ken Thaiday Snr Beizam [shark] dance mask 1991 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased 1991Ken Thaiday Snr Beizam [shark] dance mask 1991
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Purchased 1991
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image: Rosalie Gascoigne Chatting up 1994 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Gift of Peter Fay 2005Rosalie Gascoigne  Chatting up 1994
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Gift of Peter Fay 2005
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image: Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; golden pigeon 1975 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; golden pigeon 1975
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980
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image: Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; bird of paradise 1975 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; bird of paradise 1975
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980
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image: Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; eagle 1975 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980Heather Dorrough Bird brooch; eagle 1975 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Crafts Board of the Australia Council Collection 1980
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