Artecture

Exhibition Highlights:

• Artful Drawing Letter curatorship and organization – South Library Exhibition 2023
• Current: Part of the Masked Art Collective Gallery Art Exhibition 2023
• Boxed Quarter – Oho – An interactive form of artistic thinking 2023
• Even More Exhibition, collective female exhibition, 2021, ClubHouse Creative, Christchurch
• South Library – Back to the Roots, in partnership with Cristobal Lopez, 2021, Cashmere, Christchurch
• Linwood Arts & Eastside Gallery, Pan Pan exhibition, collective exhibition, 2021, South City, Christchurch
• South Library – South American Indigenous People, partnership with Cristobal Lopez, 2020, Cashmere, Christchurch
• Te Huanui Art Gallery, collective exhibition, 2020, Darfield, Christchurch
• ARTarama Art Exhibition, collective exhibition, 2020, Papanui, Christchurch
• 2020 FGS Green Flea Market – Fo Guang Shan New Zealand, 2021, Christchurch (Invited artist)

In addition to being an artist, I serve as a curator and facilitator, organizing participatory works to create a sense of collective and inclusion. The interactive art that I create has the power of agglutination and identity. My artwork aims to achieve the transformative power of color, symbolizing positive change where native artistry and magic are intricately intertwined in each figure, inviting people to experience it. The exact measure of impact is when someone gets tears in their eyes when they feel a strong connection, leading to a heartfelt hug. Participating in art exhibitions and markets in New Zealand was an excellent opportunity to connect with interesting people and engage with communities.

The Artful Drawing Letters” project took root during a 2015 excursion through Southeast Asia, illuminating the profound universality of childhood expression that transcends cultural boundaries.

Beyond the distinctions of cultural references, shapes, and colours that define societies, childhood’s innate communicative and artistic potential shone brilliantly. This belief in the unique power of art and its universal language became the driving force to foster exchanges and share experiences.

From India to the indigenous communities of the Amazon, our encounters have deepened this initial insight. Art is a formidable instrument to unite a diverse world through mutual respect and sensitivity.

From Brazil to New Zealand, letters adorned with drawings by Brazilian children envision the lives of their Kiwi peers. In return, young New Zealanders offer glimpses into the world of Brazilian kids. Melva Gill, the dedicated teacher from Ao Tawhiti School, orchestrates this beautiful exchange of letters.

“The Artful Drawing Letters” exhibition celebrates learning and cultural exchange, serving as a testament to the power of love and creativity. Connect with Andreza to be a part of this extraordinary journey!

Exhibitions

Back to the Roots Art Exhibition

My mother was the Earth

My father was the sky,

They were Rangitane and Papatuanuku, the first parents

(Witi Ihimaera, Tangi)

The separation from ancestral lands has profound spiritual and physical consequences.

Sadly, the destruction of the land is driven by greed rather than valuing human lives.

The Yawanawa tribe hears the anguished cry of the fallen trees, but most people remain oblivious.

Tribes worldwide have been devastated, their rivers replaced by pollution and forests decimated by mining. Global warming and viruses further exacerbate the crisis.

It is high time we learn from indigenous cultures how to treat the world with tremendous respect and dignity.

This art exhibition is a passionate plea for humanity, respect towards indigenous communities, and love for Mother Earth and all its creatures, both in the sky and deep within the roots.

Carolina, the artist, creates vibrant canvases using various mediums. While often showcasing the biodiversity of Brazil and New Zealand, the artworks always establish a profound connection with nature.

Carolina Nery’s work delves into the profound connections between ancient civilisations, emphasising the importance of drawing wisdom from indigenous cultures to instil in future generations a deep sense of responsibility towards the environment, echoing the reverence of our ancestors.

Her artistic creations pay homage to the venerable trees with significant cultural and ethical value in tribal legends. The Totara tree in New Zealand and the Samauma tree in Brazil embody the concepts of ancestral immortality and serve as embodiments of cultural identity.

Recent years have seen a sharp escalation in the vulnerability of rainforest indigenous communities. Their lands face direct threats from encroachments such as mining and waste disposal, posing severe challenges to their cultural heritage, environment, and overall well-being. The ongoing pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges, leading to the decimation of numerous families and communities.

“The Samaúma tree, revered as the ‘grandmother tree,’ stands as one of the most imposing figures in the forest. Its towering canopy reaches the heavens while its roots embrace the earth below. Indigenous communities have used the space around these roots to inter their deceased, believing the tree is a conduit between the living and the departed. The Samauma emits resonating sounds akin to a drum, facilitating communication between the living and the spirits.

“The Totara tree holds a place of utmost significance in Maori culture. It plays a central role in crafting traditional wakas (canoes) and serves as a guardian of tribal narratives through intricate carvings. The Totara has inspired proverbs and laments that pay tribute to cherished individuals and are commemorated in various locations across Aotearoa. Both living trees and deceased Totara logs are venerated, with the latter often serving as protectors of sacred sites. No other tree holds such multifaceted importance within Maori cultural tradition.