It wouldn’t be right to introduce this month’s update without addressing the elephant in the country.
The message “Toitū te Tiriti” has travelled from Cape Reinga to Bluff, even all across the world. Times Square, New York, even Everest Base Camp.
If the reach wasn’t impressive enough, the actual activation, Te Hikoi mō te Tiriti was a masterclass in organisation, activation and unity, communications and setting the tone.
This peaceful protest traversed the whole country without incident (I have only heard of one drop of blood from a splinter on the front line). Filled endless streets with people quietly banding together to support this kaupapa. Roads were lined with supporters, overbridges packed for hours on end as determined crowds of people waited patiently to tautoko as the hikoi inevitably ran behind schedule.
Runners connected the hikoi on foot from, iwi to iwi, from the top of Te Ika-ā-Maui all the way to Paremata where they were joined by a hotly debated number of humans for the penultimate day of the hikoi, somewhere between 50,000 and 90,000 gathered to stand together to uphold the current principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
No matter where you sit in the conversation this was an awe inspiring and historical event.
Aside from gravity and clarity of the message delivered, life was also given to epic creativity, clever and hilarious signs catching us off guard with fits of giggles. I LOVE when pop culture enters the fray.
Images from @toitu_te_tiriti / @kohu_atatu /@capturedonmycamera Instgram.
Recent Projects
Kororī Kororā Exhibition Marketing
It’s so nice to be working with Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom again – the Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park brand we developed in 2017 is super special to me and it is standing the test of time. Open now, from 23rd November all throughout summer.
Check out more of our work over the years for this special place.
Home to Many - An infographic for Kororī Kororā Exhibition
Not only did we produce the marketing for this exhibition, we created an infographic for kids to interact with. Based on the birds of the Manawatū Estuary. This infographic anchors the Kids exhibition, the work allowing kids to add their own birds to the estuary with an activity in the art gallery. It’s been awesome to have paint on my hands again and I’m looking forward to seeing how this takes shape over the summer.
Let me know if you go! I want to see all the birds added to the Estuary.
Check out our socials in the coming month to see how we put this wall together.
Reflections
I’ve found it hard to find the words I want to share about what's going on in our country at the moment, but then maybe words are insufficient. Maybe showing up in support when you can is enough. Of course actions speak louder than words.
After this busy month of painting, illustrating, designing and doing perfectly aligned work I’ve been thinking about the huge fluctuations in my business this year, and what it's like to be a freelancer/small business owner. It’s very much the artist's plight - feast or famine.
Lemonface Lens
@lemonfacelens is a Lemonface outlet for creative expression, a place for play and joy. Here are a few views through the lens that stood out for us this month.
Both of these images have a 'Wicked' theme (see what I did there? have you seen the movie yet??). Spooky season was great - especially when you're friend does a 10/10 get-up. And, of course, lots of bee's buzzing around being busy, this bee seems to collecting what they need to and flinging pollen around.
Boo the Dragon
With the arrival of the sun she’s high energy and we can take her outside a bit more which is great who doesn’t love fresh air right?! You’d think that would be enough excitement for a dragon but of course she’s not any old dragon. All she thinks about all night and all day is WHAT IS THE FIT FOR MY XMAS SHOOT? Where are the samples?! What’s the vibe?! I'm shedding in anticipation! Someone give me a wardrobe check sheeeeeeeeesh. Yea. Pretty sure that’s what she’s thinking about.
Catch you next month!
