One Million has become One Billion Stars woven in the quest to end violence.
In 2017, Museum of Brisbane committed to weaving 10,000 stars in support of the One Million Stars to End Violence project, founded by weaving artist Maryann Talia Pau with her husband and Indigenous leader Mark Yettica-Paulson. We are pleased to see that since then, the star weaving community has continued to grow and this love and peace-filled project now sets its sights on One Billion Stars.
These beautiful stars are symbols of light, courage and solidarity to end all forms of violence, including violence against women, bullying and racism.
In the lead up to July 2017, Museum visitors came together in the Dome Gallery, where they sat and weaved together. These small but powerful folded stars were later featured in an impressive installation in King George Square for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Explore the Installation
What is One Billion Stars?
The One Billion Stars to End Violence project was started by Maryann Talia Pau, a weaving artist born in Samoa and raised in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Maryann and her husband Mark are currently based on Quandamooka Country, Queensland Australia.
The One Billion Stars project offers a hopeful and uplifting way for people to talk about the overwhelming human crisis that is violence. Through weaving stars, with others or by ourselves, we keep the conversation of dealing with violence in our communities alive and active.
The project’s most recent and largest installation is on display in Silo Park in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Each of these stunning works aims to remind us to not act violently with our words and actions, but with passion and generosity.
What is a Star Weave Community?
A Star Weave Community is a group of people in a town, suburb or organisation who commit to weaving a certain number of stars in support of the One Billion Stars project, contributing to the next installation.
Star weaving workshops are a wonderful way to connect local needs to help and services in your area including support groups and counselling professionals in domestic violence, suicide and racism.
Despite the impact and restrictions of COVID-19, star weaving has become a supportive, inclusive craft activity that can increase intergenerational dialogue, belonging and mental health.
To find out more visit www.onebillionstars.net
