Boroondara has a rich botanical history; just imagine what the trees have seen and heard!
The 2020 Boroondara Arts Initiative project was 'If these leaves could talk', led by local artist Emily Shannon. Emily led the community through a series of free online activities, which contributed to a community art installation at Hawthorn Arts Centre.
Activities included visual storytelling, drawing and sustainable art and craft and were aimed for everyone to participate. The art materials needed for the activities were everyday household items, readily accessible in the home.
Each activity included easy-to-use instructions, a short video that showed participants how to complete the activity and templates, along with images, for what the final outcome should have been.
Once completed, community members were encouraged to share their work on social media with the hashtag #BoroondaraArtsWithYou.
Community members also had the opportunity to contribute some of their artwork for the final community art installation.
The work can now be viewed in the Parkview Room at Camberwell.
‘If these leaves could talk’ was made possible through the Boroondara Arts Initiative program, which engages and supports artists to deliver creative work co-designed with the Boroondara community.
About the artist
Emily Shannon who loves to experiment with bold palettes, botanical forms, and digital techniques. Her regular practice of 'Shinrin-yoku’ with her kids along Gardiners Creek inspired this project. 'Shinrin-yoku’ is the Japanese term for ‘forest bathing’ – the action of being in nature and intentionally connecting to it. Up until recently, Emily lived in Ashburton.
For more information on Emily and her art, follow Emily on her Instagram account @emshannonart.