One of my projects as fellow in New Zealand Pacific Studio’s AiR is a collaboration with Public Poem Project headed by local author, Chris Daniels. Her Public Poems are large scale posters of local writers’ poetry placed all over the town’s center. The words are large, printed on bold colored background, local voices artful thoughts, for all to see, they break the pace of the to-do list and insert a lovely thought.

I was given a poem to create an image. I painted a stylized nightscape with bold colors as to stand out on its wall, but also allow the words to have their own weight in the composition. The poem stays with me though. I keep responding to it…. It creeps into my map-collage work as well…

In response to the poem and a few wild windy night drives from Masterton to Wellington.

The poem has three natural visual elements, the mountain, the sky, the moon. The poem uses deceptively simple imagery not for an observation of the natural world, but a much more complex meditation of expectations. Mountains ask for something specific; the reply is not the anticipated answer.

If Mountains look for warmth, they get light instead. Maybe we focus on the response, the thing, the Moon. What strikes me is the acknowledgment of the question. Speaking with Ra Smith, a Maori historian and community activist, I’m told the Moon is symbol of wisdom. This brings another beautiful layer to Sky’s response. Maybe the Mountains’ experience of discomfort and hardship is knowledge that will bring wisdom. Moon does not resolve Mountains’ wants, it brings the situation to light.

This image is looking down on the mountaintops, a sky’s view. The NZ maps used are donated from NZPS.

TARARUAS

The tall mountains

draw their cloaks of green

over their

shoulders

against the cold

and pray to

the gods of the skies

who answers

by hanging the

lantern of the moon.

Gareth Winter

This has been a heart filling experience! Spending time with Gareth at the Masterton Archives, learning about the history of Masterton and talking about his writing has been invaluable and joyous! Likewise, I am honored Ra spent his valuable time on me educating me about Maori culture with our awesome day trip adventure!

Acknowledgement (Teraruas) Map collage, mixed media on board 32x77cm, 13x30”

Work in Progress for wall poster design for Public Poetry Project, Masterton NZ