Arihia Latham05:00, May 01 2021
Antonio Hernandez
Lady Diva says Tohu, bold wood flag inspired pieces showing stylised whetū in shades of the coastline represent navigation including her own journey from graffiti to gallery walls.
Graffiti art is like coded communication, it’s a medium of expression for many communities and cultures that feel oppressed or voiceless, it’s a way of expressing political thoughts and feelings or is simply political because it is reclaiming spaces that have been taken by capitalism, gentrification, ultimately colonisation. It’s an art form that has often sat beside hip hop in an uprising of indigenous voice in colonised spaces.
During the rebuilding phase of the space, many of the works went out into the community and were taken care of by kaitiaki in their homes. The exhibition will see them back together and installed in two/fiftyseven, guiding the kaupapa of all who work, visit and play there. “Inspiration flows naturally in this magical space, there is freedom of expression in the air,” Kiel said. Alongside the panels, Grace-Smith, Kiel and Hall have also created a collaborative mural piece. The exhibition also includes a selection of original artworks and prints from featured artists that Mashuko Aotearoa has curated, plus new work by Mike Tupaea and Janine Williams from TMD Crew.
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