This costume titled Ritual Goddess is from the Arrivals segment of the Olympic Opening Ceremony held on September 15, 2000. The costume was part of the Africa float and is designed by Jenny Kee. Kee intended for the costume to give the effect of a walking sculpture. It was inspired by African totems and sculptures

The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games was comprised of three major sections: the mandatory formalities and protocol sections, the cultural display and the entrance of the athletes. Within the cultural display, there were eight segments titled: Welcome, Deep Sea Dreaming, Awakening, Fire, Nature, Tin Symphony, Arrivals and Eternity.

This costume was used in the Arrivals segment of the Opening Ceremony. This segment aimed to produce a theatrical representation of Australia's multiculturalism. The programme for the Olympic Opening Ceremony states: The history of Australia is the history of migration. We have come from all corners of the planet to form a vibrant, culturally rich and constantly evolving society. In this segment, a new group of arrivals form the Olympic symbol that unites the five continents of the world. They disperse, leaving behind their children - our hope for the future. More children appear until two thousand gather to form the pattern of the night sky, containing the distinctive Southern Cross constellation. From the centre of the structure Nikki Webster performs "Under Southern Skies' to celebrate the unity of all our people.

There were five floats in the Arrivals segment. Each float represented a continent of the world. Using the symbolism of the colours of Olympic rings, each continent/float was represented by a colour. Black was used to represent the African nations, yellow the Asian nations, red the Americas, green was used for Europe and blue for Oceania. (Australia was part of the Oceania float).

Fashion and film designers rather than theatrical designers were chosen to provide a contemporary, cutting edge, high fashion look to the costumes. The designers were Jenny Kee - Africa and Americas, Lisa Ho - Asia, Norma Moriceau - Europe and Peter Morrissey - Oceania.

Performers were selected from schools, community groups and from cultural and ethnic support groups. Approximately 500 performers danced around and on each of the five floats in the costumes created by the designers.

The 'Ritual Goddess' costume is constructed from antique pleated brown velvet and sculpted polystyrene. The top and padded skirt were constructed in the Ceremonies Costume Workshop. The headdress and bangles were made by Paula Martin and Greg Somerville.

The costume was worn by Sarah Dok of the Sudanese Women's Cultural Centre.

Jenny Kee (born Sydney 1947) is one of Australia's most significant and creative clothing and textile designers. Kee is best known for designing and retailing a unique range of colourful clothing and knitwear. Her work is characterised by the graphic and dynamic nature of her design style, as well as her ability interpret cultural icons in a highly original way. For this project Kee's vision was "Homage to the Spirit of Africa. Bestowing peace, love and unity upon the world for Mother Earth". She collaborated with Creative Consultant Jan Thornley and Costume Artist Paula Martin and team.

Kee and her collaborators applied a rigorous research and design development process to realise the costumes for the Africa float. The works drew their inspiration from many regions and aspects of African culture and history.

Various textile designs were developed by Kee, using black as a palette base, contrasted with cream, terracotta, ochre and metallic touches. Kee states that " My work starts with the graphic expression of ideas. I adapted universal African emblems - a series of drawings revealing unifying threads, building layers of meaning through my fabrics and costumes. I want to celebrate the richness and sophistication of this vibrant continent."

The Ritual Goddess was designed to give the effect of a walking sculpture. The costume was inspired by African totems and sculptures. The hand-painted finish on the polystyrene headdress and armbands and the treatment of the fabric used in the costume aims to echo the texture and appearance of ebony/brown wood.

Maker name Ceremonies Costume Department, Bettine Roynan, Greg Somerville and Paula Martin

Worn by Sarah Dok of the Sudanese Women's Cultural Centre.

Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government

Performance costume, 'Ritual Goddess', polystyrene/resin/fabric, designed by Jenny Kee, used in Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Consists of a six pieces, including a brown sculptured headdress made from carved polystyrene and fibreglass into a stylised human form and painted brown. A padded brown crushed velvet collar. A brown crushed velvet bias cut long sleeved top. A brown crushed velvet skirt with 5 padded rolls and two brown sculptured armbands made from carved polystyrene and fibreglass that has been painted brown.

Made: 2000

2001/84/148

2000