The Talking Rocks in the Children’s Gallery

Abstract

ABSTRACT This exhibition review explores Kingdom of Kindness: Abdul Abdullah , an immersive exhibition at HOTA's (Home of the Arts) Children's Gallery on the Gold Coast, Australia. Originating from a collaborative project with Surfers Paradise State School, the exhibition reflected the multicultural backgrounds of the students and Abdul Abdullah's artistic investigations on identity and inclusion. The exhibition emphasized themes of kindness, belonging, and connection, featuring interactive screens, activity stations, and the innovative component of the “talking rocks,” rock‐shaped cushions embedded with children's voices. This review discusses the implications of this initiative within the broader scope of critical children's museology, advocating for inclusive practices that engage children as active participants in museum experiences. By positioning children as active producers of the curatorial process, the museum moves away from a generalist approach, creating genuinely inclusive exhibitions that respond to children's needs and provide them with an active learning experience.

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