I’m drawn to the tall bold totem poles found in many indigenous cultures. Seeing the ornately carved and painted ones in Alaska and Canada in 2024 inspired me to make totems for my suburban Brisbane garden. My totems couldn’t just be artistic; like all totems, they would have to represent history, values, spirit and community.
Can’t carve, draw or sculpt!
Only one problem prevented me from creating my first totem—I can’t carve, draw, or sculpt, but why let a lack of artistic skills get in the way of creativity or a grand project?
Preparing for the Moorhouse Totem
My first totem would be an homage to the Moorhouse family. I decided Christmas Day 2024 would be the perfect day to create my totem as I would have both the oldest and youngest members of the Moorhouse family present. Arthur, at 92, is the patriarch of the family. Leo, not yet two, is the youngest of his nine great-grandchildren. With them and 11 other family members present, I would have a captive audience to help me create my totem.
In preparation, I painted a PVC pipe (100 mm in diameter and 3 meters long). I needed a variety of colored paints for my project, but I only needed a handful of each color. As I was reluctant to buy 13 tins of paint, I requested leftover paint from my local Buy Nothing Facebook group. This generous group gifted me the paint I needed.
Hands across time
After lunch on Christmas day, I herded the family to my totem site and started painting hands, the youngest first, the oldest last. All chose a colour. One by one we placed our painted hands around the painted pipe, creating our Moorhouse totem. At the top were Arthur and Rhonda, 92 and 90 years old. Next, were Steven and me. How rapidly the years have passed, now we are close to the top of the family tree.
The totem handprints include one of Arthur and Rhonda’s children, three of their grandchildren, four of their great-grandchildren and three extraordinary daughters-in-law who have birthed and cared for this tribe.
A friend who was with us on Christmas day is a calligrapher and added the finishing touches.
A perfectly imperfect totem now graces my garden.
After our 2025 trip back to New Zealand, I’m planning my next totem, though it’s been suggested I use the Māori name Pouwhenua or pou whenua.
There’s no marginalised community that misses out on your attention.
Love the concept you chose for your first totem. The hands theme always moves me and so many values hook right into it. It looks amazing by the way…from a self-confessed non-artist it really looks great. The beautiful writing was a great bonus.
Can’t wait to see the nz one.
Kerry.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for the next totem. Creativity takes a long time to incubate!