Creative ID: 151
I am especially interested in working with Maungaraki School, but am available Hutt-wide.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am a tattoo and visual artist (specialising in illustrations, paintings, and mural art). I am a Chilean by birth, with Mapuche heritage, which means I am particularly interested in indigenous art. I have been tattooing for 20 years and have worked as a graphic designer in Chile for 10 years. As well as skin and computer art, I have a special interest in general illustration, and mural and textile painting.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
I have the following practical experience: I have completed the murals outside and inside a children's play place; a mural at a kindergarten depicting several of the main Māori gods; I have painted a full-sized box around a fire hydrant at a school; interior murals for restaurants. Back in Chile, I completed a large kindergarten mural also. All these projects involved collaborating on design elements and painting to an agreed brief. My graphic design was helpful in helping us visualise and finalise concepts.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
On the Art Showcase day, I worked with all the students in the school as we drew a very large chalk mural over the courts. Students were encouraged to grab chalk, use a lot of colour, and add to the expanding image. I also spent time visiting a classroom where students had to do a creative scribble and we looked at how to turn this into a picture of a specified object that the students chose. I have also helped develop student-painted murals into a more finished design product which still respected their original designs.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I have two primary school-aged children and we are constantly working on art projects at home. I also have built a strong relationship with my children's school staff and would love to help beautify the space in a way that encapsulates the school's values.