You are invited to be a part of a community led creation of an artwork!
We are disappointed to share that Thania Petersen is unable to travel to Perth on medical advice. While Thania focuses on her health, the planned community‑led sessions will continue as scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and support and encourage you to join us in creating this unique installation!
Rampies Sny
Thania Petersen
Join us in the creation of world renowned Cape Town artist Thania Petersen’s large scale olfactory installation Rampies sny. Drop in for any length of time over the activity dates to work with Gallery staff on this immersive artwork, created with the Perth community. Your participation in the creation of the artwork would involve assisting with cutting of citrus leaves and filling organza bags with frankincense and oils infused leaves.
Thania Petersen is deeply informed by the histories of the Indian Ocean and Trans-Oceanic memory, tracing the interconnectedness of cultures, migrations, and shared experiences. As an African Creole artist, she seeks to retell and reclaim histories and cultural memory. Tracing the migration of Sufi music and ritual, Petersen’s large-scale olfactory installation Rampies Sny and film JAWAP – an Australian premiere – fill the galleries with smell, sound and sumptuous imagery.
Previously realised in Cape Town and Tunisia, Petersen’s Rampies sny installation links the intimacy of clothing and linen drawers to a history of migration. Consisting of thousands of small organza bags, filled with freshly cut citrus leaves and infused with frankincense and precious essential oils, the olfactory installation permeates the exhibition halls with what Petersen calls, ‘smells that recall a thousand places.’ Named after a unique Cape Muslim tradition, the installation reflects a ritual in which women cut and scent fragrant leaves with oils and incense, packaging them into cloth bundles, accompanied by poetry, song, and blessings.
Event Details
Saturday 31 January, 12pm – 4pm
Sunday 1 February, 12pm – 4pm
Monday 2 February, 11am – 4pm
Free event, open to the public
The bags will be hung by John Curtin Gallery staff from Monday 2 February.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join this community creation activity.
Image: Process view of Thania Petersen, Rampies Sny, 2022, organza bags, citrus leaves smoked with frankincense, essential oils, dimensions variable. Courtesy the artist, Ames Yavuz, and MOCAA, South Africa.
