Creative expression is often, at times, garnered in identity, cultural diaspora, heritage and individuality. As Aotearoa is currently privy to an Arts renaissance—young creatives across the motu are exploring the possibilities of their art practice through the understanding of their inner eccentricities and the mana embedded within them.
Like unpacking a treasure box—and uncovering taonga that belongs to you, by looking to where you are from, you know where you’re going—which in turn, crafts unconscious bounties of legacy, paving the way for future generations. To witness the uprising of creative energy in the next generation is an important part of the notion of being. These future-thinkers, wavemakers, and vibe aficionados are ones to watch on their path to change and impactful creative mahi that matters.
Tangata ako ana i te kāinga, te tūranga ki te marae, tau ana.
(A person nurtured in the community contributes strongly to society.)
Take some time out of your day to get to know Tāmaki Makaurau photographer Apela Bell—and six other Aotearoa creatives who inspire him, as interviewed by Delilah Pārore Southon (Te Roroa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kurauia, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Pukenga).
Can you give me the Apela elevator pitch?
Kia Ora, my name is Apela Bell, and I am a photographer based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
What does your name mean to you?
My name to me is my identity, a reminder of my culture and where I come from.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
POC faces in mainstream spaces.
What’s your creative process?
It always starts with the question, what am I trying to tell with my work.
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
Always remembering to take time out for myself, mental health is so important to me, so understanding when to take a step back from it all and learning to say no—also, being aware too, whether politically or socially.
Define ‘taste’:
Taste is universal, everyone has different tastes, and we should all learn to appreciate all our differences.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
Being creatives, we’re our own worst self saboteurs, but garnering spirituality for me is finding the positives in every situation. Reflecting and understanding that how you carry yourself is how you create the atmosphere for where you work and being able to make positive connections with everyone on set. Before every shoot, I always make sure I have time to myself and some coffee, too [laughs].
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
Treat others how you want to be treated; my mum would always say this.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
Personal growth to me is being able to live out a goal you’ve set out to do, aligning yourself with the quality of life you want to live and understanding your self-worth.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
My partner Stevie, he really pushes me with my photography and is my biggest cheerleader.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or your native tongue), what word would you be?
For this question, I asked my lovely friend Mana Mackay, and she said, ‘Arohanui, ’ translating to big love.
Can you give me the Frandson elevator pitch?
My name is Frandson Bahati, I'm 22 years old, and I am a multidisciplinary artist/creative based in West Auckland. Currently, my main focus is my Clothing brand nineteen99. I use clothing/Design as an outlet for my creative expression. Screen printing is the medium I use to print my designs onto clothing; I find the whole process therapeutic and very rewarding at times. I also dabble in film/video every now and then, but I find myself occasionally getting bored of it and shifting my focus more towards Printmaking and Graphic Design.
What does your name mean to you?
To me, it’s a reminder of my individuality and heritage. My name was created by my Dad, it has no particular meaning, but it was derived from my grandfather’s name (Francios). This aspect of my name reminds me that there were people who came before me who lived through their own unique lives and experiences, which ultimately led to me being here. I believe it’s important to honour your heritage and culture because it's something that will stay with you forever; it’s in the way you walk, talk and think.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
Artists like Malcik Sidibe, Seydou Keïta, Tyrone & Frank Lebon, Virgil Abloh, My siblings Soni, Synthia and many more are the main source as far as my stylistic approach goes. I like The way these artists are able to think outside of the box, especially the way they make do with such limited resources. These artists have (all in their own innovative ways) shown me some of the most beautiful artwork can be with the most inexpensive and basic tools. I’ve learnt from these people that all you need is a good idea, intentions, and good execution, and the rest will follow. I would also say that the culture of the African diaspora is at the forefront of my creativity just because the art that is generated by Africans worldwide is second to none, in my opinion. It's inspiring to see people who look like you create on the world stage or even just on Instagram. I think creatives in the African diaspora have been able to create a global culture by utilising the internet to express and share their ideas.
What’s your creative process?
It varies from time to time, but for the most part, I might see something, talk to someone, or listen to something that inspires me and then I’ll go from there. For example, I might see a cool piece of art and find that I really appreciate the way they’ve composed the image. I would then have to think about what I liked and disliked about the piece, how I would’ve approached creating the piece and then use those thoughts somewhere along the line to inform a new idea. I use that method to stack a thought in my head and tweak it until I think it's ready to be brought to life.
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
In all honesty, I don’t think there’s one definitive answer for that. Sometimes things like checking in with myself/meditation and other unhealthier methods help but sometimes life can be a bit much and what you really need is a break; I try my best just to roll with it.
Define ‘taste’:
I think that taste is pretty subjective. A person could hate crocs with every fibre of their being, but there's probably a community of crocs lovers somewhere in the world that believe they’re the pinnacle of footwear. You could argue over what's tasteful and what’s distasteful, but at the end of the day, it's just an opinion. Most people follow trends anyway, and they change every day.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
I don’t practice any specific spiritual practice, but at times creating something can be a very spiritual experience, in my opinion. When I create, everything kinda slows down, and I'm completely immersed in the moment; it can be a very liberating experience. At times the act of making something is more fulfilling than the final product, From what I’ve experienced anyway.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
To trust yourself. The older I get, the more I realise that there’s really no right or wrong way to do things. Sometimes you may think you made the wrong decision or just had bad judgement in particular situations, but sometimes those ‘bad’ decisions can lead you in the right direction, and those ‘right’ decisions can lead you in the wrong direction. As long as your heart is in the right place and you’re being true to yourself, then that’s all that really matters.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
Personal growth to me is just learning new things, developing my thinking and trying new things. The pandemic still feels pretty recent, so I would say that the pandemic shifted my perspective on time and how I spend it. I had a lot of time to reflect during the pandemic, and I found that I took a lot of experiences and people for granted. I’m still learning to value my time more, but I've made some changes in my life that allow me to focus more on my goals & people that I value. I can be inconsistent with this at times, but it’s a hard process trying to unlearn something.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
My High School mates Frank & Declan. I wouldn’t necessarily say that changed my life, but it definitely changed the way I think about life in general. They both hold very unique perspectives on a range of different aspects of life, and I find them to be very intriguing and thought-provoking. They taught me how to see humour in even the most unfortunate circumstances, to consider all perspectives in any given situation and the importance of following your own path, which I am forever grateful for.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Kaimātakitaki - observer, spectator, onlooker
Can you give me the Mary elevator pitch?
Hi, my name is Mary; I am a creative director whose passion is to capture black women & fems in the most beautiful way that I can using different elements. My vision is to show the broadness & elasticity blackness has. From our hair to our clothing, our mannerisms, our languages and our cultures. We are so diverse & beautiful, and I feel it must be seen.
What does your name mean to you?
My full name is Mary Chinwendu Moniola Adeosun. My parents gifted me Mary based on the biblical character. Chinwendu, which translates to “God owns life”, was gifted to me by my Maternal grandparents. Moniola is my Paternal grandmother's name, who is Yoruba, and I sadly don’t know the meaning. My surname Adeosun translates to ‘Crown of Osun’ Osun is a State River, as well as an orisha in the Yoruba religion.
My name means a lot to me because it grounds me & reminds me of where and who I come from as I continue to journey through life.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
Being Black, Queer & a Woman. Being from these intersections empowers me, and I am inspired not just in my creativity but each day to embody life from a less linear viewpoint.
What’s your creative process?
Usually, in my dreams or when I'm in nature, I’ll have different ideas swirling around, and then I’ll see something to remind me in my day to day. Like a Deja vu moment!
I get to work, scrolling on Pinterest, saving and screenshotting on Instagram to create my mood board. I reach out to friends who are interested in modelling or taking photos. We schedule the shoot, we hunt for the items needed at op shops, 2 dollar stores & sometimes a hot glue gun is involved! & we do the shoot!
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
Rest. I am a big rest girl; I believe in sleep; we all deserve to stop and just be for a moment. Even if you do have to return to a busy life, it's something you need.
Define ‘taste’:
Taste is personal, you can have a different taste to someone else, but that's not to say neither of you don't have taste. Just different taste.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
I give myself time to sit and receive an idea, I feel like I do it, but I don't know how I do it. It's almost like second nature to respect the gifts I’ve been given.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
Most obstacles are temporary. You are not a disappointment, so allow yourself to heal & recover. Your ancestors & guides are always with you & a beautiful life is waiting for you.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
Coming to terms with your faults or where you may have gone wrong and taking steps each day to make adjustments to do better.
Now that my life is less linear and I am more open and proud of who I am, I’m letting go of a lot of shame that was once ingrained in me. This change in perspective has really eased my journey through life.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Kotahitanga- unity, togetherness, collective action.
I believe in synergy/all hands on deck when it comes to my creativity because we all benefit in the end.
Can you give me the Sonielle elevator pitch?
My name is Sonielle Bahati. I am a 21-year-old creative African Kiwi based in Auckland. I delve into many different aspects within the creative realm, including illustrating, drawing, creating looks with make-up, and assisting my sister in shoots and sculpting, but I mainly oil paint.
What does your name mean to you?
I really like my name; I have never met someone with the same name as me, so I feel that my name is me in word form—personality, aesthetic, vibe, interests, everything.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
I would say that my siblings and friends are my main source of creativity and inspiration—outside of them, many different artists, photographers, sculptures, films and fashion designers/brands that I usually find online.
What’s your creative process?
This is a hard one because when I create, things like process and structure kinda go out the window. I get an idea, and I just go and keep going until it feels right; it's more of an experience for me. I’ve tried to create strictly following the standard design process, and it just feels restricting. It doesn't work for me.
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
I often felt like true balance was like the “American dream” and never fully achievable, but over time I’ve begun to realise that balance for me is understanding that sometimes things won’t happen or be done in a proportional way and in those moments I find out why I don’t feel balanced, what I'm missing and prioritise the things in life that bring me back to my balanced state.
Define ‘taste’:
Taste, for me, is when you have “The eye”; you can just know what works and what doesn’t. I definitely feel like it's like good intuition. Some people have it, and some don't, but it can definitely be worked on.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
I don't actively add a spiritual aspect to my creative work or process, but because I was raised in a religious household, spirituality is something I’ve been aware of since a young age and was definitely an important part of my formative years, and I'm definitely a big thinker, so aspects of Religious and inner spirituality are always somehow embedded in my work.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
Everyone you meet in life has something to teach you.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
Personal growth, to me, is individual change that broadens your perception of life and enhances everything that is you.
Currently, I feel like I have gone through a lot of personal growth, and it has created a calmer, more intentional me.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
I feel that everyone you meet is by chance, so many things would have had to happen exactly right for two people to meet, so I think everyone I have ever met, whether I liked it or not, has changed my life in some way.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Pito Mata, which I believe means potential.
Can you give me the Tallulah elevator pitch?
My name is Tallulah, a.k.a @Look.Bomb, and I’m a makeup artist and designer. My goal is to transform anyone into feeling like their most confident self.
What does your name mean to you?
Tallulah means Leaping Water in Native American Indian. My mum wanted me to have a unique name that stood out. I think it really suits me as I’ve always wanted to be just that since I was young, especially when it comes to expressing myself.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
Colour is huge to me. My work is largely defined by my use of bright colours used in different ways. Wherever I look, I’m always finding awesome colourways that always inspire some sort of makeup look/design.
What’s your creative process?
I love to sketch out most of my looks first. Seeing ideas on paper helps me figure out the best ways to execute a look. The biggest thing is to trust the process. Especially when it comes to the application of makeup.
It may turn out a little different than you originally thought but always finish the look. How you manage those hiccups is how you get better!
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
Making sure I have time to see my friends and family is really important in keeping me on track mentally. I also only accept work that makes me happy, so it doesn’t really feel like work. I think that’s the biggest key to keeping all aspects of my life in a positive balance.
Define ‘taste’:
Taste to me means that regardless of someone’s personal opinion on something, you’ve created something that anyone can still find and appreciate the beauty of it. That’s creating tasteful work for me.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
I’m a big believer in signs from the universe. I have 1111 tattooed on my neck because I’m always receiving signs that I’m on the right path. If when you are creating, it feels right, trust that feeling and throw yourself into it. Vice versa, if it feels draining and is bringing you no happiness, ditch it. You have to trust yourself and that some higher power has got you.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
To take risks always. My mum is always encouraging me to take that leap of faith. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself becoming stagnant in your growth.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
As long as I’m moving, I feel like I'm growing. So many awesome opportunities have started coming up for this year, and with each one, it’s a chance to expand and improve my skills. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to be more fearless and take chances. During the last two years of being at home, the best thing I ever did was take the leap of faith and start sharing my work online. I definitely wouldn’t have had some of the opportunities I’ve had if I hadn’t. You never know what doors will open when you start to look for them.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
I’ve been lucky to meet so many incredible people in my life who have been incredibly influential. I couldn’t pick just one person in particular. My tribe around me is so strong.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Fearless. Kore wehi. (No fear). I might not be like this all the time, but it’s such a strong trait that I admire in the most influential person in my life (my mum). I just want to be that each day even in the smallest of ways.
Can you give me the Synthia elevator pitch?
In short. I am a creative. I love conceptualising something and bringing it to life. I am Synthia Bahati.
What does your name mean to you?
I'm not sure what my name means to me. I’d say the spelling is unique, and In a way, it connects people to who I am. I know Bahati means fortune/luck.
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
At the forefront of my creativity, I see Black people—the African diaspora. I am interested in what connects us and separates us but also individual expression and experiences, as blackness is not a monolith.
What’s your creative process?
I wouldn’t say I have one process when I approach anything creatively. Sometimes I sit with it, or I just get to it straight away; I guess it depends on how inspired I feel or if I’ve had a red bull [laughs]. It’s different every time.
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
I maintain balance by surrounding myself with family, going outside; I love the beach and being in nature. Looking through photography books and talking to people.
Define ‘taste’:
“Taste” It's either you got it, or you don’t. You just know. It’s the style, the way you do certain things. It doesn’t look like you’re trying to be anything else but you. It's organic.
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
I wouldn’t really say that I intentionally garner spirituality into my creative practice. I do try and be clear of my intentions whenever I do create. What am I trying to say, how am I saying it, and does it capture what I want to say in an authentic way.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
A lesson that I would pass on to my mokopuna would be that not everyone has your best interests at heart. Just be yourself there is always going to be someone hating. Have fun and take risks!
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
To me, personal growth is any positive change or achieving goals. Anything that helps you flourish and gets you closer to being the “best version” or at peace with yourself. Growth can come from experiences and self-realisation.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
I’d say yes. I think I’ve met so many people who have either changed my perspective or course of life in both positive and negative ways. One day you think something is one way, but you realise not everything is black and white.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Whakaahuatanga: someone really incredible showed me this. I'm not sure I am this at present, but it is the first thing that came to mind. It was something that had a big impact on me, realising how my work is perceived in the world I live in. And In my native tongue, Kirundi. Amahoro & Kwihangana come to mind. Peace and Patience. Things I try to keep and be.
Can you give me the Matariki elevator pitch?
Tēnā koe!! Ko Matariki Bennett tōku ingoa, ki te taha o tōku pāpā, he uri tēnei nō Te Arawa, nō Ngāti Pikiao nō Ngāti Whakaue hoki. Ki te taha o tōku māmā he uri tēnei nō ingarangi, nō airani hoki. I'm a poet, script writer and director!
What does your name mean to you?
My name is a gift from my parents and my tūpuna. Matariki translates to the Pleiades constellation of stars. When Matariki rises, it is a very special time for us Māori—It is a time to grieve those who have passed and let them return home, a time to set goals and intentions for the coming year and to harvest food. It’s a big name with a lot of weight!
What do you see at the forefront of your creativity/inspiration?
I come from a family of creatives working with all different mediums. My Mum is a costume designer and writer, Dad is a writer and director, my brother is a musician, my sister is a visual artist. I think they are at the forefront of both my creativity and inspiration; they are my mentors and my biggest cheerleaders.
My friends also inspire a lot of my creativity; I work closely with three other girls in our poetry collective called Ngā Hinepūkōrero. We’ve grown up together and discovered the art of spoken word together. Almost all of my friends are artists—musicians, writers and visual artists. They are a huge inspiration to me.
What’s your creative process?
It depends on the project! With a poem, I’ll find my subject/ theme, and I’ll brainstorm that for a while. At the moment, I’m writing a poem for my grandmother in response to returning to her family home in Ireland. I began by brainstorming all the imagery—cracked wallpaper, lace trees, generations of fingerprints etc. As I write these images down, I find that the lines kind of start forming themselves—‘generations of fingertips reaching through the cracks in the wallpaper’. From there, I just let loose and write a whole bunch, not caring if it’s terrible, and over the course of a few days, I’ll keep going back to write and rewrite.
How do you maintain balance in the current world?
Ooooh, this is a hefty question!! It’s really hard!! I don’t think I’ve found balance yet. I’ve found in the past couple of years that the way I’ve kept myself grounded and motivated has been by spending a lot of time with friends and family, trying to be as present as possible. Surrounding myself with like-minded, driven people has really helped me to keep myself on track. I’ve also learnt to be very gentle with myself. I used to feel huge pressure to pump out work and constantly be looking for the next project, which means I was pulling stories from an exhausted and empty brain! I’ve taken some time away from creating constantly to gain more life experience, to find more stories, and I’ve been so much more relaxed about work. Now that I’m creating, when the opportunity presents itself or when I feel drawn to, I feel as though I have created work that I’m really proud of.
Define ‘taste’:
Your taste is a reflection of yourself and the people around you! I think taste is also how you respond to the world around you, and it is what makes you, you!
How do you garner spirituality into your creative practice?
When creating, I always start and end the day with karakia, especially on films, as it grounds all of us and allows us to move forward as a group with clear minds; it also lets us leave our baggage behind at the end of the day, so we don’t return home carrying the weight of the world! When performing, I always remind myself who I’m performing for and why; it’s always for my family, for my ancestors and for my people.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt so far in life that you would pass on to your mokopuna (grandchildren)?
Cherish the people who love you, inspire you and motivate you, ahakoa kōwai, ahakoa nōhea. These are the people that will be there for you forever, ā tinana, ā wairua hoki.
What’s personal growth to you? And, how do you feel your perspective shifting as you go into a new phase of your life?
[Laughs] Another tough question! Whenever I’m feeling exhausted, challenged mentally or physically (which often comes with a lot of tears…), I know that I am entering a new phase in my life, in whatever capacity that may be. Learning to let go of certain things in order to make way for new things, then getting to the point where I’m okay with it is growth to me. There’s never really an aha moment where I know I’ve overcome something; there just comes a time when I’ve accepted my new reality and have found peace in it.
Have you ever had a chance meeting with someone that changed your life?
Yes, many, many times. I would say, though, that my closest friends have changed my life the most, and I can wholeheartedly say I am the person I am because of them. You know who you are!! E kore e mimiti te aroha.
If you embodied a word in Te Reo Māori (or, your native tongue), what word would you be?
Damn. Not quite a word, but a whakatauki! Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua—I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past. I think it speaks for itself. I carry my ancestors on both sides with me always and always look to them for guidance.
Features Writer: Delilah Pārore Southon (Te Roroa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kurauia, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Pukenga)
Photos: Apela Bell Fashion: Chloe Hill Beauty: Tallulah Mclean Photo Assistant: Stevie Tane Fashion Assistant: Pansy Ou
Shot on location at East St. Hall in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
