The Migration Museum in Adelaide holds a Lithuanian banner in its collection. When the Museum opened in 1985, they invited communities to community groups to make banners representing their memories, hopes and dreams as immigrants.Members of the Adelaide Lithuanian craft group at that time collectively produced a community banner. It was designed by Architect Eugenijus Kalibatas.
The patterns and colours are taken from the rich idiom of Lithuanian folk art. The wayside shrine, angels ploughing, and stylised flowers evoke memories of a peaceful and religious homeland. The knight and spearman represent the turbulent periods of Lithuanian history. The central design is a folk symbol of the sun depicting Australia, the ‘sunburnt country’. The new beginning, with its hopes of peace and freedom, are signified by the planting of a seedling. These hopes are also represented by the blue cross, Lithuania’s Liberty Bell and the birds. In the words of the designer, ‘all the different elements … form the larger themes of Homeland and Australia within the overall theme of memories and dreams’.
 |
| some of the contributing creators, E. Kalibitas, third from right |
Made by A. Juospaitis, R. Pocius, A. Dainius, A. Vieraitis, J. Bagdonas, B. Sinickas, V. Morkunas, J. Brazauskas, E. Mikeliunas, N. Alvikis, E. Petraitis, J. Zinkus, A. Bauze, A. Patupas, G. Straukas, F. Kazlauskas, B. Jasiutis, and R. Kurauskas, 1986.
You can find out more about the banner collection at http://migration.historysa.com.au/collections/community-banner-collection
.tif)
1 comment:
The banners display is looking great! http://www.flickr.com/photos/migrationmuseum/8219157132/in/set-72157632059644281 Thanks for lending us some artefacts for the exhibition, we're looking forward to see what you put together in December.
Catherine,
Migration Museum
Post a Comment