Project Description
Working along side NCDC as well as a collection of other artists to create a power box honouring and show- casing the regions rich culture.
Objectives
- To create a design for Taradale Village Power Box Project - To be place on a Unison Power Box in the community
- Showcase strong Wahine role models
- Work with and develop working relationship with NCDC - Work in Studio environment with other artists
- Develop further skill set - stencil and paint
Project Statement
Focusing on the theme of strong female figures from the region, I chose two historical woman to por- tray with the design, Airini Donelly and Annie Telfar. Both woman with amazing back stories. Airini, a princess as well as a lawyer who fought for land rights during the late 1800s and well into the 1900s. She was a fierce figure as well as a pivotal role mode for all. Being an educated woman of color, she destroyed race and gender conceptions of her time, Paving the way for her people and woman alike. Although less know, Annie Telfar’s story is no less remarkable. A woman born of hight social stature to a predominant Napier family, Annie shunned this lifestyle. Opting instead to devoting her life to helping the local indigenous people. She became a nurse who lived amongst the tribes durning the land wars. She was said to have been seen rushing onto battle fields to collect the injured with very little regard for her own safety. Annie, well known for her beauty, chose a life of few possessions in return for a life of servitude for others.
She stood fast in what she believed. Fighting for equality and health, as well as woman's rights and raising a merry brood of 6 children. She was regarded with love by all.
Artists Statement
Some times it is so easy to forget what has come before. That the same wars have been fought generations over and over. We forget so easily those that held their heads high and battled for our name sakes. There are lessons in honouring the past, pride and love to be found. Lineage that makes our chests feel full, beaming for the names we must pay remembrance to through our own actions.