APOMAWISH was a collaborative art project designed by artist Rachel Burke and brought to life by the community, presented at the Hawthorn Arts Centre in 2021.
The project was initially conceived as a creative catalyst to gather people in knitting circles, classrooms, neighbourhood centres, workplaces and other community settings to contribute to an installation as part of the 2021 Craft Contemporary festival.
With COVID-19 restrictions impacting the ability to deliver the initiative in a face-to-face environment, what transpired was a creative movement embraced during isolation and adopted across homes and families, neighbourhoods, friendship circles, work colleagues and school groups.
Boroondara Arts invited community members to craft pompoms paired with heartfelt wishes for the future to contribute to the installation, keeping hands and minds busy and spirits hopeful as Melbourne experienced its sixth lockdown.
With guidance and encouragement from Rachel Burke, the pompoms were then dropped off at Boroondara’s libraries or posted by mail for inclusion in the installation.
APOMAWISH was on display at Hawthorn Arts Centre from October 2021 to February 2022 as an inspiring reminder of our community’s resilience and connection to the arts, even during challenging times of isolation.
About the artist
Rachel Burke is a practicing multidisciplinary artist, designer, and author based in Brisbane, Australia. Known for her vibrant, tactile designs and iconic tinsel creations, her work is inspired by a love for naive craft materials and transforming the mundane into the magical. Rachel has exhibited her work in gallery spaces across Australia, including Saint Cloche Gallery, Hamer Hall, The Australian Centre of the Moving image, Enough Space, GAFFA, and the Redlands Art Gallery.