Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

I am a visual artist and creative.

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth?

I was born here in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, and have lived here my whole life!

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street? Why?

I would say a special place for me in the Bay is the Waikareao Walkway, which loops the Waikareao estuary. I haven’t been there for a while, but I used to walk the track often. I feel it’s quite a spiritual place; it has a way of connecting you to the environment and the landscape. As you stand looking across the water you see the hustle and busy-ness of the city and the traffic, while you’re standing in quite the opposite, the calm and peaceful side. It’s quite a contrast.

What music was present and still memorable from your youth/adolescence?

As a young kid I remember there being a mixed bag of music from Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, to Abba!

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?

There is a whole list of creative individuals who I have found influential along the way, but the three that stand above the rest at the moment are Robert Rauschenberg, Eva Hesse and Anni Albers. These three artists are important because they helped me to understand my creative practice and the relationship I share with material.

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?

Top of the list would be visiting family, maybe go for a bush walk or walk up the Mount and grab a good coffee somewhere!

If you had to eat the same meal every day, what would it be?

Meat, mashed potato and veg! Pretty plain and simple but if I had to eat it everyday… The most crucial part is the side of potato and veg; I’m not too fussed on the meat component.

Who are your favourite or most admired figures from history?

I don’t know that I have a ‘favourite’ figure from history other than the visual artists I mentioned earlier, but I have discovered some interesting historical poets and composers that I can say I also admire: T.S Eliot and Johann Bach. What I admire is how their art continues to connect to people far beyond their lifetime.

In one sentence, can you define art?

For me, art is a tool used to express an idea, a feeling or an emotion in a unique and thought-provoking way.

What is missing or lacking from your Bay of Plenty community or environment?

Affordable and large-enough spaces to rent or hire as artist studios!

Name a few films that you consider profound, moving or extraordinary.

I love films! A good film is one that you can watch more than once and still be moved by. The Pursuit of Happyness is one of my favourites. It’s based on a true story about a man (played by Will Smith) who struggles through some really tough experiences in order to reach his goal of success. Another film that I found inspiring is McQueen, a biographical documentary-style film following the life and career of fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

What was your first real job, second, third?

My first real job was being a Mum! Apart from that, I have worked mainly in floristry. Before deciding to study art I worked in a little florist boutique in the Mount and was there for about eight years.

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?

I’m not sure If I would live there, but I would like to visit Ireland. The landscape, architecture and history of the place looks really fascinating.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person?

Find what drives you as a creative, what builds that excitement in your core, and follow where that takes you!

What’s the biggest problem about life in New Zealand? How you would solve it?

Affordability of basic needs such as petrol, food and housing is a big issue in New Zealand. Making housing more affordable is top of the list.

What is your dream of happiness?

My dream of happiness is owning my own large studio space somewhere among the trees, in a peaceful landscape facing a lake! And it also must come with a fireplace.

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