‘FINDING THE HEARTBEAT’ has been selected as a finalist in the Emerging Artist Awards 2023 and won the John Wells Award. The exhibition is running from 14th Oct to 5th Nov, daily 10 am - 4 pm at the Upstairs Gallery in Titirangi. This unique art competition and exhibition was created to generate awareness for the mental health in Aotearoa and to highlight the benefit of art and creativity on the wellbeing of individuals and community. The theme of this year is “Connection”. Connection is non-negotiable for our well-being and each art in this exhibition explores this theme.

My entry ‘FINDING THE HEARTBEAT’ is rich with connection layers. Please read my artist statement for the complete message -

*Finding the Heartbeat* draws inspiration from my recent trip to my mother's hometown Akita Japan where my family and I took an out-of-the-world pilgrimage to the historical healing site Tamagawa Hot Spring. This is the first family trip we took after losing our brother in 2018 and a long Covid separation. After returning to New Zealand, the sight and sound of the outflowing fountainhead, the luminous volcanic vapour and the volcanic sulphur steam still pulsate in my veins. I know deeply that a rebirth has happened to us and I was eager to process the layers of emotions through abstract painting.

There were so many layers of “connections” I discovered during this visit: deeper connection with my family, with our cultural roots, with nature, and with our own selves. We bathed in the uniquely acidy hot spring water, cooked eggs and purple potatoes on sulphur steam, picnicked on the warm heating radium rocks, awed by the natural phenomenon Sun Halo, listened to the stories of healing from illness including my cousin’s wife, learned about the therapeutic native plants in the deep mountains. We were blessed with a sense of wonder and belonging that spark off our heart beat again after a long season of healing! When we find our heartbeat, we are finding the rhythm in which our life can thrive!

*Finding the Heartbeat* leaned into my practice in the Soak-Stain method pioneered by Helen Frankenthaler, applying layers of fluid paint unto raw canvas, and experimenting with abstract symbols to capture the essence of my Tamagawa journey: the exhilarating encounters with the passion and life of nature, the belonging and togetherness we have found in each other’s presence and acceptance, and the courage and inspiration we can draw from the struggles and triumphs of others.