Media Release, February 2019

The Migration Museum is partnering with artist Penny Ryan to present connecting hearts, a series of free workshops and public events which ask us to think about the question: “Who belongs?”. Current debates on migration often focus on the divide between those who are accepted as belonging and those who aren’t. It is easy to forget the hearts we have in common.

Connecting Hearts is a participatory art project that began in Sydney (2016) and has continued, including travelling to London (2018). The project invites people to make small clay human hearts by attending workshops at the Migration Museum led by the artist Penny Ryan. At the workshops participants also have the opportunity to reflect on their own connection to those currently moving across the globe. Ten workshops are being held from Sunday 24 March to Sunday 31 March. Workshops are free and last 2.5 hours, but registration is required.

The hearts will then be fired and wrapped in cloth. On Thursday 11 April, the Migration Museum will host an event to display the hearts made in Adelaide (5pm – 7.30pm).

The Adelaide hearts will then be joined by 2000 hearts made previously in Sydney. The hearts will form a spiral on Plane Tree Lawn at the Adelaide Botanic Garden (13-14 April). Visitors are invited to walk the spiral, pick up a heart, unwrap it and record a response to the question: ‘who belongs?’

This project is presented by the Migration Museum with the support of the Botanic Gardens of South Australia and Bennetts Magill Pottery.

To find out more or to volunteer to be part of the project contact: T: (08) 8207 7570 or E: migration@history.sa.gov.au