An explanation… of sorts

I’ve spent a while debating with myself about how to marry the part of me that makes work for clients, with the work I’m currently doing as part of my study in a Master of Fine Arts degree at Toi Rauwhārangi, Massey University. This is the final year, and I’ve hardly shared any of the things that I have made (let alone the layers of reading and writing kind of research.) Momentarily I considered creating a completely separate website for my ‘art’ self. Like I can split who I am into two distinct parts. And then I realised, maybe some of you will be curious about what I do when somebody else isn’t telling me to do it. So here, in it’s own discreet category, is a record of some of that fine-art photographic investigation. I’ll add to this, periodically, maybe in more of an informal way, with some more of my own thoughts to accompany, and if you’re interested, you can be part of this deep dive, exploring the intersection of permanence and transience, the plurality of memory, modes of storytelling and their relation to legacy, the impact of geographical isolation on a family, and a wider concern with Aotearoa colonial history. That sounds like a lot, huh? And what comes out of it might be a completely simple thing. But those are my touchstones, and they’re firing me up right now.

Thanks to my mum, in particular, and other parts of the family who are supplying me with material to manipulate. Our next adventure is a research trip to Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D’Urville Island, to the windswept, isolated place where my great-grandparents tamed land and raised children and sheep. That’s a fairly sanitised way to describe it, and I’m sure I’ll get a bit messy before this is over.