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Waikato University

Korimako (Bellbird) are rarely seen in the central Hamilton area due to pests, loss of habitat & loss of food sources. There is currently an awesome project happening 'Hamilton Halo' who are working to get these manu back into the city so go check it out and get behind what they are doing (link below). We wanted to incorporate their kaupapa with ours to create this commission for the University. Our great friend Aaron Hardy has written a beautiful waiata titled 'Tuhia' & the lines we've used in the mural are:

'Tuhia ki te rangi - Write it in the sky'

'Tuhia ki te whenua - Write it in the land'

'Tuhia ki te ngaakau o nga taangata katoa - Write it in the hearts of the people'

If we can take those words & apply them to the idea that we are to become kaitiaki (guardians) of these native treasures, we will again see them flourishing throughout the Waikato region & into urban spaces like Hamilton City. Thank you to the Student Association for commissioning us for this project & to Reakt for working alongside us on this project!

Although day 1 consisted of pouring rain & painting inside a huge blow up tent like a bouncy castle with no floor - it ended with a beautiful second day in the sun, music playing & the sound of nature all around (besides the screaming students having too much fun at Orientation Week lol).

Auckland Museum - MIT Manukau

What a privilege & honour to be commissioned by the Auckland Museum for 'Taku Tāmaki - Auckland Stories South' at Manukau Institute of Technology Manukau campus. We would like to thank Simon Gould (exhibition developer) & Kelly Bewley (project manager) for their support & trust regarding the body of work giving us creative freedom & to Amiria Puia-Taylor for your constant aroha towards us as artists!

Excerpt from the exhibition panel: Internationally acclaimed and proud South Aucklanders, the urban contemporary artist couple Charles & Janine Williams have created a body of work celebrating the birdlife and story of the naming of Manukau.

About 1350AD the Tainui waka moved up the Tamaki River on the east coast, entering the Manukau harbour via the Otāhuhu portage. They heard the cries of a multitude of sea birds. At first they mistook these for the cries of human beings, but later discovered them to be 'only birds'–‘he manu kau noa iho’. Hence the name ‘Manu-kau’ was applied.

Congratulations to everyone who is also involved in the exhibition, & especially a huge shout out to the House of Natives Aotearoa! ‪#‎birdgang ‬‪#‎southside‬ ‪#‎creatives‬

Manukau - Only Birds

What a privilege to be asked by the Auckland Museum to paint a series of works depicting the origin and stories related to the naming of Manukau (translation 'Only Birds'). With the official opening next Tuesday 1st March at the Manukau Institute of Technology building, we have been busy finalising each piece while juggling a few other projects so yep admin is a little behind.

It is a labour of love when it is a subject close to your heart - your city, your community, your wildlife, your people. Taking the local stories and historical records and presenting our interpretation is a little intimidating & a lot of excitement all wrapped up in one argh! If you are in the area it will be on the ground floor, you can even catch the train & walk up the stairs then you are right there (yep love that building).

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