This document provides instructions for a ceramics unit where students will design and create a totem representing their family. Students are asked to interview family members to learn about their cultural heritage and genealogy. They will take notes and sketches to identify imagery and symbols to visually communicate aspects of their family history on their totem. Students will also research inspiring ceramic artworks and symbols from different cultures. They will submit sketches and statements planning the design and decoration of their cylindrical totem, which will be constructed using slab building techniques. The goal is for students' totems to visually tell a story about their family's cultural identity through symbolic imagery.

1. FAMILIES ARE UNIQUE
CERAMICS UNIT
You will design a TOTEM using imagery to communicate your ideas
Your totem will represent you and your immediate family
Or
Some aspect of your family history, genealogy, or cultural identity

2. WHAT IS A TOTEM?
A TOTEM (Ojibwe dodaem) is a spirit being,
sacred object or symbol that serves as an
emblem of a group of people such as family,
clan, lineage or tribe

3. Aboriginal memorial in Australia
National Gallery of Australia: The Aboriginal Memorial is an
installation of 200 hollow log coffins from Central Arnhem Land. It
commemorates all the indigenous people who, since 1788, have lost
their lives defending their land. The artists who created this
installation intended that it be located in a public place where it
could be preserved for future generations.
https://nga.gov.au/aboriginalmemorial/home.cfm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-LSea6zAqo

4. Task 1a: Finding out about totems:
Do some quick research (10 minutes) record answers in your visual diary. Collaborate with a
partner if you like.
A: Mention 4 countries/continents do Indigenous groups/ traditional cultural
groups have totems or guardian spirits?
B: What is the purpose of a totem in front of a family's home?
C: Describe the difference between a mortuary pole and a memorial pole
D: What is it that evokes ancestral power on the Aboriginal hollow log coffins?
See info: https://nga.gov.au/aboriginalmemorial/home.cfm
E: What is the purpose of a shame pole and find an example image?
F: A common figure on totem poles is an Eagle, this animal represents peace
and friendship.
Find out what the following animals on totems symbolize: Killer whale,
Raven, Thunderbird, Beaver, Bear, Wolf, Frog and/or any other interesting
animal symbol you stumble upon.

5. Task 1b: Create a title page in your visual diary or make a Pic
collage called “Families are unique”-Ceramics Unit-
Includethe following information andimagesonyourtitle page;
FamiliesareUnique–CeramicsUnit
1definition for ‘CULTURE’
1definition for‘TOTEM’
1definition for ‘CONTEMPORARY’
1definition for ‘GENEALOGY’
4Imagesof totems –of which at least 1shouldbeahistorical
totem, 1acontemporary totem andat least 2madeusingclay (ceramics).
Presenton1A4pagemakingsureyouhavea well-balanced visuallyappealing
title page
Take aphotoofyourtitlepageandsavethistoafolderonyourcamerarollcalled
Ceramics.

6. Task 2: Interviewfamily
TOTEM – CERAMICS – FAMILIES ARE UNIQUE.
• SHOW US YOUR STORY USING VISUAL COMMUNICATION.
• IN PREPARATION FOR THE CERAMICS UNIT YOU ARE ASKED TO INTERVIEW MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY WITH THE INTENTION OF LEARNING, DISCOVERING,
EXTENDING YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR FAMILY GENEALOGY. (LINEAGE, ANCESTORS, DESCENDANTS).
• RESEARCH
• YOU WILL NEED TO:
• TAKE NOTES - FOLLOWING INTERVIEW/S OF THE THINGS YOU COULD USE AS VISUAL COMMUNICATION ON YOUR TOTEM (THESE NOTES ARE TO BE
PRESENTED IN YOUR VISUAL DIARY)
• MAKE MIN 2X VISUAL DIARYPAGESOF: RELEVANT SKETCHES, IMAGERY, PHOTOS (TO ASSIST YOU TO MAKE YOUR TOTEM DESIGNS)
• DECIDE ON THE MAJOR ITEM/FORM TO MAKE AS THE MAIN PINCH POT FEATURE AND PRESENT IMAGES TO ASSIST YOU TO MAKE THIS ASPECT.
• BIG IDEA
• THIS ARTWORK SHOULD – VISUALLY COMMUNICATE A CHOSEN ASPECT OF YOUR FAMILY CULTURAL HERITAGE, HISTORY AND STORIES FROM THE PAST AND
OR PRESENT.
• YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO IDENTIFY IMAGERYAND SYMBOLS WHICH YOU COULD USE TO VISUALLY COMMUNICATE SOME ASPECT/S OF YOUR FAMILY
HISTORY CULTURE. THESE IMAGES AND SYMBOLS MAY COME FROM CONTEMPORARY AND OR AND HISTORICAL TIMES.
• YOU MAY DECIDE WHICH ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTED INFORMATION YOU WISH TO REPRESENT ON YOUR ARTWORK. EG IT MAY BE JUST ONE THEME OR A
COMBINATION.

7. • SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS- YOU MAYOF COURSE MAKE UP YOUR
OWN. REMEMBER THE AIM IS TO GATHER IDEAS FOR IMAGERYYOU CAN
USE ON YOUR ARTWORK.
(MIN 2 X PAGESIN YOUR VISUAL DIARY)
• WHERE WERE YOU BORN, WHAT COUNTRY?
• WHAT SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF ASSOCIATED WITH
THIS COUNTRY?
• WHAT COUNTRIES WERE YOUR PARENT BORN IN?
• WHAT SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF ASSOCIATED WITH
THIS COUNTRY?
• WHAT COUNTRIES WERE THEIR PARENTS BORN IN?
• WHAT SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF ASSOCIATED WITH
THIS COUNTRY?
• WHO IS THE MOST INTERESTING RELATIVE YOU REMEMBER? EXPLAIN
WHAT MADE THEM INTERESTING. ARE THERE ANY IMAGES I COULD USE TO
TO REPRESENT OR DEPICT THEM?
• WHAT WERE THEIR INTERESTS?
• WHAT JOBS DID THEY DO?
• WHAT DID THEY DO IN THEIR SPARE TIME? HOBBIES, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
ETC.
• HAS ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY ACHIEVED ANYTHING OUTSTANDING OR OF
GREAT IMPORTANCE (AN AWARD/MEDAL) TO YOUR FAMILY OR THE
COMMUNITY?
• ARE THERE ANY ITEMS OR IMAGES I COULD GET PHOTOS OF TO USE ON MY
TOTEM?
• IF YOU WERE WRITING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY WHAT SYMBOLS, HOBBIES,
IMAGES CHARACTERIZE YOURFAMILY? (FOR INSTANCE: SPORT, RELIGION,
FOOD, TRAVEL, MUSIC,CHARITY)
• DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS? TELL ME WHAT WAS
INTERESTING ABOUT THEIR LIVES? WHERE THEY LIVED? ARE THERE ANY
SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF ASSOCIATED WITHTHEM?
• DID YOUR FAMILY (MOM, GRANDMOTHER, ETC.) MAKE OR EAT ANYFOODS
PARTICULAR TO OUR/THEIR HERITAGE?
• HOW DID YOUR FAMILY CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?
WHAT SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF ASSOCIATED WITHTHESE
HOLIDAYS?
• WHAT INTERESTING THINGS CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PARENTS OR
THEIR PARENTS? WHAT SYMBOLS OR IMAGES CAN YOU THINK OF
ASSOCIATED WITH THEM?
• ARE THERE ANY IMAGES OR SYMBOLS YOU CAN THINK OF WHICH I COULD
USE TO REPRESENT SOMETHING ABOUT MY/OUR FAMILY CULTURE OR
HERITAGE?
THE INTERVIEW

8. Task 3: BRAINSTORM IDEAS and RESEARCH INSPIRING CERAMICS
Nowadays DNA technique can reveal where your roots lie. You might have a mix of cultures in your DNA.
After interviewing your family you hopefully gathered a lot of information which will give you ideas for your
totem decoration. For your design you also need to find inspiration of ceramic objects made by artists.
Createtwopagesin your visual diary with your researched. Onepagewithimagessuch as symbols, icons,
characters, words referring to your information and onepagewithphotosofceramictotems/objects
provided with the name of the ceramic artist, the title of the work and explain why you selected the
artwork.
Barry Gregg & Dawn Oakford

9. Inspiring ceramists
Vanessa Bean v Ettore Sottsass ^Jennifer Falter Elizabeth Currer Peggy Bishop

10. HERMANNSBURG POTTERS
IN 1990’S ABORIGINAL PEOPLE: THE
ARRERNTE PEOPLE LIKED TO LEARN NEW
THINGS. THEY WERE TAUGHT HOW TO DO
POTTERY. THEY CREATED POTS USING THE
COIL TECHNIQUE. THEY DECORATED THE POTS
USING GLAZES. THEIR POTTERY BECAME WELL
KNOWN
Hermannsburg is the name of a town located in the centre of
Australia. It is in the Northern Territory, 130 km west of Alice
Springs. It is home to a community of aboriginal people.
The area is known for its pottery with themes such as AFL, land
based animals, bush tucker and community themes.

11. Student Examples of Totems with a cultural connection
to Family

12. u

13. Task 4: Sketch page showing design and decoration
Use your researched images as inspiration for your
cylinder design (shape) and show what decorations
you will put where.

14. Task 5: Artist Statement (plan for totem)
Use the following questions to to help you write your statement of intentions for each of the areas numbered below. Do
this using completely formed sentence structures. Either create a written document or neatly handwrite in your visual
diary. Only respond to the questions in bold with one or two sentences. The other sentences are to give you more ideas.
1. Describe the main idea for the cylindric form of your totem. (Will you make alterations like cut out shapes or add forms
to make it look like something….)
2. Which symbols/designs will you use as decoration? How do they express your identity?
Which decorations are the most significant? Will you decorate the whole cylinder? Will you use pattern (repetitive
shapes) What number of objects will help you create the best composition? Which objects might you draw more than
once? Which decorations are going to help you create a meaningful, interesting artwork?
3. Describe the process of creation of the cylinder? Find out what the slab building technique involves. How do you make
joins with clay? What materials will you need to create the cylinder?
4. How will you create the line decorations on the cylinder? Find out if you want to use sgraffito technique, carving with
lino tool or adding relief with coils to create elevated lines.
5. Provide a photo of your design sketch and discuss what colours you want to use on your totem. Will the colours have a
symbolic meaning (national colour, coat of arms…)
6. Describe what aesthetic effects will you try to create on your totem. These refer to the elements and principles of
art. Line (zig zag, curvy, straight), 2D shape, 3D form, colour, texture (smooth, rough, bumpy), balance, contrast,
emphasis, pattern, unity (shape and decoration go well together). (check handouts)

15. DESCRIBE ELEMENTS AND
PRINCIPLES OF ART: USE
ADJECTIVES!!
• SHAPE (ORGANIC,
GEOMETRIC)
• LINE (STRAIGHT, ZIG ZAG…)
• FORM (3D, SHAPES
PROTRUDING)
• TEXTURE (ROUGH, SMOOTH,
BUMPY..)
• COLOUR – GLAZE (WARM/COLD,
CONTRASTING, ANALOGOUS,
PASTEL.)
• COMPOSITION OF THE
DECORATIONS ON THE TOTEM
(BALANCED, DIAGONAL, TRIANGLE,
SYMMETRIC..)
• PATTERN (DOTS, LINES,
FLOWERS…)
• UNITY ( THE SHAPE AND
DECORATION GO WELL TOGETHER
AND SHOW UNITY)

16. Task 6: Totem construction
Roll clay on piece
of calico with
rolling pin
between 2 slats.
Cut out slab.
Trace circle of base
of clay cylinder on
new square slab
Roll slab around
cylinder (cover in
paper). Edges of rolled
end should be cut on 90
degree angle. Score and
join.
Use a cylinder to
roll slab around
You can add a texture
while first rolling the
slab. Use
mesh/textures stencil
to indent the soft clay.
Add shapes or cut out shapes.
Always score the joins with a
scoring tool and smoothen the
seems.

17. Process of creation and
decoration
HOW TO CREATE SHAPE OF
CYLINDER?
• SLAB OF EARTHENWARE CLAY, CALICO FABRIC, CUT
CLAY WITH KNIFE AROUND TEMPLATE, PVC PIPE
WRAPPED IN PAPER
• CUTTING SLOPES (SKI RAMPS) 90 DEGREE
ANGLE
• ATTACHING SIDES BY SCRATCHING/SCORING &
TRANSFERRING CLAY USING RUBBBER KIDNEY OR
FINGERS
• GENTLY ROLLING THE CYLINDER ON
CALICO
• CUT OUT CIRCLE FROM SLAB TO USE
AS BASE
• DECORATING THE CYLINDER, EMBOSSING
CARVING USING THE TURN TABLE (DOLLY WHEEL)
• ADDING SHAPES; USING THE SCORING
TECHNIQUE AND SMOOTHENING
• FOR JOINING, EMBOSSING, USE WOODEN
MODELLING TOOLS
• SKETCHING LINES WITH SCORING
TOOL
• CARVING LINES; CLAY LEATHER HARD,
USING THE (LINO)CARVING V-TOOL OR
WIRE TOOLS.

18. Task 7: Clay and Pottery terminology
memory game

19. Reflect: What did you think? Now, I think.
How connected are you to your artwork?
What will your artwork mean to you in the future?
How does making your ideas visible compare to more traditional ways to
communicate ideas? Is Art a good way to communicate your ideas?
What was the valuable learning that you experienced while planning and making this
artwork? What do you ‘wish’ now you have completed this artwork?
Where do artists get their ideas?
What did you learn during this unit of
work? What are you most surprised
about?
What are you most proud of?
What was the value in making this artwork?
What part of this experience did you enjoy the
most? What is the purpose of an artist?
Why make things?
Is visual communication important?
Do you feel connected to this artwork? Do you value it?