Rachelle Toimata

Kia Ora. I was raised in Ahipara, a small settlement in the far north of New Zealand. I have always been creative. I leaned into art making when I became a mother. All that time at home with children. I needed something to keep me occupied and sane. Recently I have been working on my own style of abstract art. My children are now grown and I have time to develop my skills. I draw inspiration from indigenous South Pacific artists like John Pule and the beautiful Niuean hiapo cloth of my husband's.culture. our own indigenous Maori and Pacifica styles. We recently moved to Australia. I have fallen in love with the art work of Indigenous Australians. Majestic, large, colourful, rich mark making and the telling of stories. Ethnic art is definitely my jam. My favourite place is our city galleries in Brisbane and Melbourne. Surrounded by modern and indigenous art, I am inspired. I believe stories are very important in art because they are personal and meaningful. In doing so, I leave behind a reminder for the next generation, a roadmap of sorts of where we have come from and our hopes for their futures. Art helps me to focus and be calm. I create every single day. I have lots of art sketchbooks where I play and explore.