All play objects displayed on shelves for Traces of Play.

Traces of Play

2025

Traces of Play is a participatory installation that celebrates the folk, playground, and street games we used to play. From sticks to stones, erasers to elastic bands, walnuts to wooden spoons: Traces of Play invites us to subvert these humble everyday objects into magnificent playthings of joy. Participants are invited to play games contributed by the community, and add their own favourite childhood game to the installation.

Created in collaboration with Chad Toprak, the installation was exhibited at the Roslyn Smorgon Gallery at Footscray Community Arts from 17 September – 13 December 2025.

The installation was a part of the We Have Been Called Many Things exhibition curated by Curatorial Ensemble, and featured as part of Melbourne Fringe and Melbourne International Games Week.

Artist Statement
Additional Credits & Info:

Collaborator: Chad Toprak

Exhibition: We Have Been Called Many Things
Venue: Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray Community Arts
Curator: Curatorial Ensemble
Dates: 17 September – 13 December 2025

Creative development supported by City of Melbourne Arts Grants.

Photography: Helen Kwok & Chad Toprak (unless otherwise specified on photo caption).

Play objects including rope, toy hammer, yellow plastic balls, stones, sticks, walnuts, and pebbles sitting on shelves as part of Traces of Play.
Play objects including tennis balls, tape, elastic rope, chalk, paper, pencil, tokens, coins, marbles, erasers, pegs, elastic bands, and matchboxes sitting on shelves as part of Traces of Play.
Wide shot of play objects and sign for Traces of Play.
Sign with instructions on how to play and ground rules for Traces of Play.
Table where participants can add their own game contributions to Traces of Play.
Sticks and walnuts sitting on a shelf as part of Traces of Play.
Close-up of chalk, yellow paper, and pencils.
Sign telling visitors to add their own game to Traces of Play.
Close-up of contributions on the Traces of Play wall.
Section of contributions on the Traces of Play wall.
Section of contributions on the Traces of Play wall as well as installation label.
Participants facing and drawing each other during the Traces of Play workshop.
Participants standing in a circle during the Traces of Play workshop.
Two hands holding marbles as participants play in the Traces of Play workshop.
Close-up of participants holding a strand of spaghetti between them.
Participants entangled in a group while playing during Traces of Play workshop.
Four participants sitting on the ground flicking a coin for the Traces of Play workshop.
Participants smiling and drawing on a yellow piece of paper during the Traces of Play workshop.
Close-up of a participant drawing a face on yellow paper.
Two participants laughing as they play Danish Clapping Game.
Photographer: Thuy Vy
Participants smiling in gallery space while playing during the Traces of Play workshop.
Photographer: Thuy Vy
Facilitators Helen Kwok and Chad Toprak during the Traces of Play workshop.
Photographer: Thuy Vy
Artists Helen Kwok and Chad Toprak in front of the Traces of Play installation.
Photographer: Yi Li