Songbird the Magpie

Community Art – celebrating 100 years of Coober Pedy

2015 marked the centenary of Coober Pedy and to celebrate the occasion, the people of the town came together in a community art project everyone could enjoy.

Over 200 residents from between 5 and 80 years of age from Coober Pedy collaborated this year in a community art project to celebrate 100 years of their community. Organised to coincide with the Opal Festival, the project Songbird the Magpie, was designed to be a new take on the idea of a “pop-up venue” – it would, quite literally be an inflatable storytelling venue sewn from fabric in the shape of a magpie.

Local resident Monique Harding initiated the project and appointed SpinFX Australia artists Bob Daly and Kalyna Micenko along with Eliza Clark, an emerging artist and costume maker with knowledge of stitching, pattern making and design to create the inflatable bird and hold workshops for community members to get involved.

Consultation was made with local Elders from Anangu Yankanjara people by Ian Crombie. Willie Tingku offered the use his totem, the Magpie, as the image on the inflatable dome. A beautiful Marquette was made Bob Daly to show people the initial concept.

A process of connecting with local community groups, the school and local government agencies to entice and engage their imagination was then undertaken. Those involved were able to inspire and show new skills to seasoned craftspeople alongside mentoring and encouraging keen new volunteers. Bob and Kalyna brought out the creative beast in all the people they came in contact with and their professionalism and artistic flair enabled volunteers to capture impressions of their image of Coober Pedy.

Residents drew images, cut, pinned and sewed over 120 panels using over 20,000 metres of thread and more than 200 metres of fabric to create a visually spectacular inflatable sculpture in the shape of an Opal nest with a Magpie feeding its young.

The ambitious project came with a tight timeline to complete within six weeks.  Many of the volunteers involved were on other committees and events that were part of the Centenary celebrations which limited their time.

The pop-up space became well-used immediately, with local children re-enacting the story of how opal had been found 100 years ago (The Boy who Found Opal, 2015, Sue Brit), a deed which ultimately led to the establishment and mapping of Coober Pedy. Poetry readings also took place by local people, relaying memories from past resident, Faye Naylor in her book ‘Warm in my Heart’.

Participants really enjoyed themselves and were proud of their work; it was a project that united many.  New friendships were made, new skills were learned, and people stepped out of their comfort zones to attempt a new skills.

Young people loved being a part of something so big, 3D and unique and adored being able to use colourful, high-quality materials. One older participant was teary at the end of the project because she would no longer have somewhere to go each day.

When Songbird was launched it was surrounded by excited young people and adults pointing out to their family and friends which panel they had designed or worked on. Old miners appreciated the use of images that depicted opal mining machinery. The sense of awe as people stepped inside the dome was priceless.

Songbird provided entry points for points for participation throughout the project and presentation.  For the 200 or more, it created team collaboration between young and old and opportunities to talk and get to know neighbours of their town. The sense of community and pride that all participants experienced was immense.  Songbird is the pride of Coober Pedy!

Songbird would have never happened without the support of Country Arts SA, Coober Pedy Centenary Committee, Umoona Aged Care Aboriginal Corporation, Coober Pedy Multicultural Forum and HACC program, Historical Society, Carters IGA, Coober Pedy Race Club, Coober Pedy Lions Club, Coober Pedy Golf Club and Coober Pedy Area School, and especially all the incredible people who contributed to this project, – it is a testimony to their tenacious nature and unique spirit that symbolises what a special place we choose to call home.

Photographs of the project and some of the magnificent people that were involved can be viewed on www.facebook.com/sfx.art

 

Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe
Subscribe Form
{{ eventTitle }}
{{ section.name }}
{{ buttonText }}

Country Arts SA recognises that we are living and creating on First Nations Lands and we are committed to working together to honour their living cultures.

Donate now

How much do you want to donate?

Area of giving

Personal Information

Contact Information

Sign in to your account

We found a Country Arts SA account with your email address.

{{ passwordResetOutput }}

Create an account

Enter a password so we can create an account for you.

Passwords must:

  • Be at least 8 characters long
  • Contain at least one uppercase character
  • Contain at least one number

Order details

{{ fund.name }} Donation {{ formatCurrency(donation.amount) }}
Subtotal
{{ formatCurrency(donation.amount) }}
Total
{{ formatCurrency(donation.amount) }}

Donate now

Donate Form
  • Your Donation
  • Your Details
  • Payment

I would like to support:

I would like to donate:

Personal details:

Order details:

No payment items has been selected yet