This exhibition takes form as an artist-led community project, celebrating the profound and rich Guatemalan tradition of kite making. In the spirit of unity and cultural exchange, artist Juan Rodriguez Sandoval invites the community of Moonee Valley and beyond to partake in the art of kite making and the joy of launching these creations through the skies of Wurundjeri Country.
The project aspires to challenge and reshape Australian curriculum by reimagining the role of kite making in fostering community bonds and advocating for social change.
Inspired by the exuberant Day of the Dead festivities in Sumpango, Saquatepequez, where kites dance in colourful splendour, this exhibition pays homage to the folklore and artistry of kite crafting, rooted in eco-centric principles using salvaged and recycled materials.
These kites transcend the physical realm, serving as vessels of liberation and resistance against post-Spanish and Western influences imposed upon Guatemalan society. They boldly voice opposition to the corruption within the Guatemalan government, while also forging a profound connection to ancestral spirits, guiding them on their journey to the afterlife.
Image: Juan Rodriguez Sandoval, Tonk´är (Kite), 2023. Photo by Juan Rodriguez Sandoval & Caitlin M. Rutherford.This work was respectfully made on Brayakaulung country.
Incinerator Gallery
180 Holmes Road
Aberfeldie VIC 3040
T: 03 9243 1750
E: incinerator@mvcc.vic.gov.au
W: incineratorgallery.com.au
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 11am to 4pm
Closed public holidays and during exhibition changeovers
Entry is Free
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
