The project
This project was part of the Celebrating Culture Pop-Up
Te Tuhi presented the Celebrating Culture Pop-Up, a vibrant two-week programme of performances, workshops, and activities that embraced the diversity of the East Auckland region. Funded by the Howick Local Board and supported by Ormiston Town Centre, this exciting lineup of cultural events delivered by local groups and artist.
The event was a great success, and the response from the community wasbeyond my expectation.
How did I participate?
I was invited to collaborate with the talented designer Bridget Hassall, preparing the graphics for the windows outside the space, where all the planned activities would take place. We shared the creative process, and the logo she created for the event inspired my contribution to the window intervention.
This is how the idea of creating the colour-in activity came about, with the sky featuring different representations, expressing the diversity of people in the world
What was it about?
It symbolized that we are all equal under the same sky, but we see it differently. That’s why the artwork included various representations of the sun, moon, and stars in different styles. With chalk markers, people were invited to colour the sky and their own space.
Workshop
At the same time, these shapes inspired me to propose my workshop:
"One World, Many Faces," where I invited each participant to create a miniature wooden figure representing themselves, their family, or someone with whom they share a meaningful bond. It could be your family, an ancestor, a teacher, a friend, or anyone you feel close to and share a cultural connection with. After painting their figures, participants were able to take them home. And perhaps, if they dared, they could make their figures interact, play, and imagine—what would they say to each other?
Behind the idea
This workshop was an opportunity to go deeper, reflect, and connect with our emotions through creativity when representing oneself. After my last proposal of making the House and how we represent ourselves, this reflection pointed to the individual and our connection with others.
I was excited to see how everyone’s creations turned out!
What happened?
The artwork unfolded in a very deep way. Participants began creating their pets, ancestors they never met, and many were able to take their representations home. Others chose to leave them in the exhibition, allowing them to become part of the community. Around 1,300 figures were painted
This artwork is specially dedicated to Isabel,
my great-great-grandmother,
and to her presence that still accompanies me.
I see you. You belong to the family
One World, many Faces at Matariki Festival
Matariki 2025 was even more special, being able to take part with the project. More than 65 families were able to represent themselves and their loved ones. It was beautiful to be part of that experience.
