THE BIG HOOT 2018

We have the honour of being 1 of 40 different artists to be chosen to paint a giant owl for the Big Hoot campaign in Auckland.  A multi organization project the purpose is to fundraiser to support the Child Cancer Foundation here in NZ.  The result is an owl trail throughout the city that you can follow for the next few months.

Each owl was funded by a local company so thank you to the Kingsland Business Association for ours & those artists were invited to paint them in their own style.  Our work titled ‘Karanga’ (meaning to call one in or welcome them) is an invitation to the viewer to come into a place of support towards this project.  Wether its finances, time, a hug or visiting a loved one - our Ruru painted in a natural style with graphic pattern is a simplistic approach keeping things as they are here in Aotearoa with our beautiful endemic bird life.  Our love goes out to the children & families who are effected by cancer every day.  The owls go up for auction in May so go to the big hoot page and stay tuned.  Our hope is that by all coming together & using our skills & time, these campaigns create windows of hope & support for those in need!

Download the app, go follow the map & if you’re lucky enough there are spot prizes to be won.

#birdgang #artlife #tautoko

‘Karanga’

Opening night - Photo Raymond Sagapolutele 

MANGERE BRIDGE BUS STOP

It’s not often you get to paint a bus stop but we had the privilege of doing so recently in the cool little suburb of Mangere Bridge.

Although we live a while a way we frequently visit for an allpress coffee and the fresh bread from Hong Kong Bakery. But despite the yummy food the local town management have been exploring the idea of using art to bring life to their part of town and so they touched base with us.

Maungakiekie to the north & Te Pane o Mataoho to the south, the 2 mountains knows as One Tree Hill & Mangere mountain are carefully watched over by the 2 Tui. The vast blue sky & surrounding harbour are acknowledged by the blue shades symbolizing the deep layers of the ocean. The colorful band reminds us of the importance of connection & celebrating the multi cultural society that we live in today.

Thank you to everyone who made this happen, a local man said one day “it ain’t as bad I thought it would be”, and that’s what makes us smile!

Tui

Tui

Mangere Bridge

The sky above

BUSY BUSY BEES

Busy is probably an understatement.  The past few months and in fact the rest of the year is booked out and full of amazing opportunities to spread some creative love around the country and globe.  We recently travelled to Rotorua Primary School to paint a giant mural.

'Mohio' - to know or to understand Rotorua Primary School The Tīeke are known to have a very spiritual understanding of their natural environment. Ngatoroirangi the great ancestor & priestly tohunga of the Te Arawa tribe had 2 pet Tīeke (Saddlebacks). They were renowned for their wisdom & ability to predict the changes in weather signaling them with differing cries & movement. Māori legend states that they travelled from Hawaiiki Nui with the great Te Arawa waka guiding the way like skilled navigators. Mumuhau in front (the female) & Takareto behind (the male) stayed with Ngatoroirangi on Cuvier, Repanga Island which is symbolized in the mural by the blue water of the ocean. The whakatauki that is recited acknowledging their importance is "Kei Repenga nga manu mohoi, ko Mumuhau, ko Takareto" - At Repenga are the wise birds, Mumuhau & Takareto. Referring to the journey of education these manu (birds) acknowledge the importance of the educational journey as a road to a greater awareness & understanding of the world. The bold yellow & black design is a portion of the taniko pattern on the headpiece of their school kapa haka uniform & also refers to the Rotorua Primary School whakapapa to Pukaki. Thank you again to our whanau Francis & Mike for organizing the mural, to the amazing staff & supporters & to the tamariki who shared in the blessing what a beautiful end to a sunny weekend!

#birdgang #aotearoa #rotorua #murals #korero #māoriart #māoridesign #urban #modern (excuse the blurry photos forgot our camera lol