Early Years Wānanga Report
COLLABORATORS:
The Southern Initiative, Te Whatu Ora, League of Live Illustrators, Kaupapa Māori Providers
A Living Koha
An illustrated report created as a koha to give back to the kaupapa Māori kaimahi who shared their stories, knowledge, and care during the Early Years Wānanga.
Rather than a record of the day, it became a taonga that continues to live alongside the work, something participants can return to, use, and carry forward as relationships deepen and the kaupapa grows.
Art & Wairua
The art concept and style were developed with participants during the wānanga. The illustration is scraped out of dark brown whenua, linking to te ira tangata, kura waka, and the process of birth. The glowing imagery speaks to moving from the darkness of the womb into the world of light.
The wairua and magic of the hui was integral to the work of the kaimahi, so I wanted to bring that through using handpainted textures, visual devices, quotes, and illustration.
I created the illustrations live at the hui with Megan Salole as part of The League of Live Illustrators. The wairua in the room was so strong it felt like the illustrations drew themselves.
