This rich and skilfully hand-worked costume called Symbol 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. It incorporates elaborate multi-layers of rich, earthy textile dimensions, imitating Bamileke costume of Cameroon. A variety of textile treatments including beading, embroidery, braiding, appliquÂ? and printing were used on this costume.

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 'Symbol Goddess' is comprised of a double layered skirt and wristlets and leggings in ochre and terracotta printed cheesecloth. These are worn underneath a large square tabard. A large padded bum-pad gives fullness to the back of the skirt. Over the skirt is a large square cape with a richly embroidered central tabard.

The base of the cape is reverse appliquÂ?d in hessian with decorative signs and symbols on a cream base. A raffia fringe borders the front and back hem of the cape.

The centre front tabard features enlarged graphics from the 'Symbols' textile print, referencing the cut-pile raphia technique of Bakuba, Zaire.

The exaggerated moving bustle creates interest in the back view.

An elaborate headdress, the design of which is echoed in the neck of the cape, incorporates more embroidery and stitching details. An inverted cone shape out of which 'grows' a blackened vine, completes the headdress.

The costume was made by Paula Martin and Greg Somerville in their workshop in Lawson, NSW. It was worn in the Opening Ceremony by Abbas Abde Mohammad.

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 Symbol Goddess incorporates elaborate multi-layers of rich, earthy textile dimensions, imitating Bamileke costume of Cameroon. A variety of textile treatments including beading, embroidery, braiding, appliquÂ? and printing were used on this costume.

The strong 'Archetype' and 'Symbols' textile prints were both used in this costume. These prints were being inspired by universal African symbols and traditional tribal graphics.

The tabard features enlarged graphics from the 'Symbols' textile print, referencing the cut-pile raphia technique of Bakuba, Zaire. The exaggerated moving bustle creates interest in the back view.

Maker name Paula Martin, Greg Somerville, Chloe Simcox and the Ceremonies Costume Department.

Worn by Abbas Abde Mohammed. The title of the costume was changed in internal communications from Symbol Goddess to Symbol God, as it was worn by a male!

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

Performance costume, 'Symbol Goddess', raffia/fabric, designed by Jenny Kee, used in Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Consists of a headdress with machine and hand embroidery, an appliquÂ?d and quilted tabard with raffia trim, a calico bustle that fastens around the waist with black webbing and a black plastic squeeze clip, a terracotta & ochre printed cheesecloth skirt, two cheesecloth cuffs featuring a stylised African print design, two hand dyed black raffia cuffs and two ochre cheesecloth leggings featuring a stylised African print design.

Made: 2000

2001/84/143

2000