Creative ID: 27
Auckland to the far north, Wellsford, Kaiwaka, Whangarei, Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Kaeo, Mangonui, Taipa, Kaitaia.
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I graduated Elam school of fine arts in painting. I am a published children's book illustrator and a freelance artist with works available throughout New Zealand. I have been teaching youth Art since 2001. In 2008 and 2009 and I was selected to participate in the MoE Artist in schools projects at two schools. Since then I have worked with youth at a college and two primary schools to create murals that beautify their school and reflect their community. I have also been hired by Auckland council to work on public murals with youth. I run my own private youth tuition from the Art Lab studio in Whangaparaoa.
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
My paintings can be found in galleries, private collections and gift stores across New Zealand, Australia and beyond. Since graduating Elam School of Fine Arts in 2007 I founded a private studio that caters for children teenagers and adults. In 2008 and 2009 I was selected by the MoE for the AIS project working with two primary schools leading art projects across their entire school bodies. In 2010 I worked with Orewa youth centre with a group of youth aged 9–14 creating a kiwiana themed mural designed to beautify their west-facing wall. In 2012 and 2013 I worked with a primary school creating two murals. in 2013 I managed a team of 20+ youth aged 10–16 in creating a Resene mural masterpiece winning mural. In 2013 Chartwell trust commissioned me to work at a college to lead their year 7 students making a 7.4 x 2.4 m long ceramic relief mural featuring native flora and fauna of surrounding wetlands. In 2019 I worked with a primary school creating eight murals influenced by the history of their community and surrounding landscape.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have extensive experience working with primary aged and secondary aged youth aged 5–18. I have worked with youth in schools, on community projects for council and as a private tutor from my studio which I founded in 2007. The majority of work I have done with youth is in creating murals that reflect the history and landscapes of their communities. Liaising with local iwi, getting to know the history of the land and its people I use these narratives to help youth build a body of work that influences their creative practice, creating vibrant long-lasting murals that beautify children's immediate surroundings, their schools and local communities. I usually begin these processes by investigating local history, flora and fauna with the youth whom I then encourage to create a series of illustrations that are collaged into a collaborative design that informs final artworks. I keep thorough documentation of these processes and can provide any interested parties with examples of work done from design right through to completion.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I participated in the Artist in schools project back in 2008 and 2009 where I spent a term working at two primary schools. These projects went on to influence a great deal of work that I carried out in a private capacity working with other schools in the area as well as local council. Working with youth is something I have extensive experience with both in and out of the school environment. I have found that the works we create are lasting taonga that is respected and revered throughout out local community. I'd love to participate in the Creatives in schools programme and take my experience to other areas across Auckland and Northland.