Soul Story

I was reading an article about the amazing Vanessa German and she talks about what remains in a persons soul. I woke up to this form in my mind. My grandmother was from NZ.

It represents the moko kauae – the traditional female New Zealand Māori chin tattoo which is considered a physical manifestation of the woman’s true identity.

Recently Nanaia Mahuta became the first member of parliament in the world to wear a moko kauae.

My new body of work is about hope. And through the brutality of invasion hope remains. And as non indigenous person I’m so thankful for the resilience of all indigenous peoples.

Materials: vine + harakeke (NZ Flax) + charcoal

Size: h 120, w 90, d 7