Inhabit: Iteration 111
The third iteration of Inhabit opens from 8th - 30th of June, 2024, at the Ormiston Town Centre in East Auckland.
On Saturday, 8th June, 2024, Inhabit; Iteration 3 will open with an installation of sewn banners that give a public voice to the intimate stories woven throughout this project. Made from the ‘iconic’ NZ cotton redline flat nappies, the ‘banners’ have been coloured with natural dyes from my kitchen. They’re hand and machine-stitched with participants messages in cut-out felt text, generated from the conversations held during Iterations I (2022) and 2 (2023) of Inhabit. Words and statements were added to an ever-growing wall of post-it notes that formed the heart of the conversation we now continue in stitch. Individual post-it notes are made into a banner and collectively installed to create an immersive space; an ever-evolving process-driven project that responds directly to the Inhabit participants and co-creators.
Through Inhabit, the artist will explore their role as a creative facilitator in bringing together participants for social change projects that empower and lead to lasting change in care. By facilitating social relations and valuing wellbeing as highly as an art object, the artist is "making through motherhood" as a way to contribute to the ongoing and meaningful conversations surrounding the negotiation of space for self in the home, the role of artists in the community, and the life of an artist-mother.
Housed in an empty shop, next to ASB, this installation will be viewable to the public during center open hours and open to the community, for free workshops, from 10:30-2pm, on Saturday, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and Tuesday 25th of June.
Everyone that visits the installation will be invited to contribute to the project by adding a thought or feeling to the post-it wall as a response to your experience, or as a message to a past, future or current postpartum self, friend or whānau member.
Inhabit is open to all people, it is a space of nonjudgemental support in the form of conversation, education, snacks and laughter. We acknowledge that at least 20% of all new mothers suffer from postpartum depression and/or anxiety. We hold a space that is both educational and nurturing as we discuss the highs and lows of new parenthood. Sometimes just being able to process what we are going through with others that are experiencing the same is just what we need.
Workshops
Making Through M/Otherhood: Rosette workshop with Holli McEntegart. 8 Jun 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
This will be a lively and creative workshop making rosettes out of felt and fabric. Make one for yourself, make one for your mum, make one for a friend!
No sewing experience is required although a playful sense for construction is welcomed! All materials are included. This workshop is not suitable for young children unless supervised (scissors, sewing ect) but there'll be crayons and books to keep them entertained :)
Postpartum Health and Wellness Workshop with Vanessa Werner. 15 Jun 2024, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Learn about what a doula is, how they can contribute to postpartum support and what you can do to ensure a healthy postpartum recovery.
Vanessa is an East Auckland based certified Prenatal Educator, Birth Doula, Postpartum Practitioner and Neurosomatic Therapist. www.vanessawernerbirthcare.com
Holli McEntegart, an Artist, Full Spectrum Doula and Mum of two, dedicated to normalizing the postpartum experience. There will be plenty of time for open discussion while we share tea and some kai.
Ancestral Storytelling Through Motherhood. 22 Jun 2024, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
We know that the more people share their stories and connect with others in a similar life phase, the more supported and less alone they feel, but as a society, we don’t really tell our postpartum stories. We center birth stories as worth sharing but generally those end with the baby arriving (or not). But what happens next?
Do we even think to ask our family's their postpartum stories?
What about our ancestors' stories? Are we able to listen?
During this workshop we will share and discuss the stories of our ancestors as they traveled along the pregnancy, birth and child raising continuum. This workshop is in collaboration with The Tīpuna Project: a participatory action research project to creatively experiment with the decolonial possibilities of ancestral mahi - from healing for Māori to accountability for Pākehā. The Tīpuna Project is co-lead by Teah Carlson (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Waikato-Tainui) and Rachel Liebert (Ngāti Pākehā)
www.thetipunaproject.co.nz
Everyone is asked to bring something along that grounds them (an object, a thought, a ritual) to share with the group.
Ormiston Mums and Bubs Meet up. 25 Jun 2024, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Come along and meet other local parents, share tea and kai and experience the Inhabit installation.
This is a project funded by Arts Out East, supported by Te Tuhi and the Howick Local Board, as well as Auckland City Council Creative Communities Scheme.
