Everybody’s bones are just holy branches

Anyways,

The Manaia, a messenger and the spiritual assistants of the gods, and minder of the natural elements of the world. A Kaitiaki of the sky, earth and sea. They are said to have the head of a bird, the body of a man, and the tail of a fish. They are supposed to protect and seek balance.

I wanted to draw a woman singing with the Manaia to create an image of peace. I struggle a lot with my connection to my ancestors and identity as an indigenous person, especially with how little representation exists for us outside of activism and oppression. I wanted to put out my art to contribute to the world of Maori fantasy, so that creatures like the Manaia are perhaps one day known just as well as Fairies and Goblins.

Now I am by no means an expert, in fact I am just at the beginning of my journey of reconnection. (And if you found something inaccurate please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it.) But if even just one person were to see my art and tell me they enjoyed it, I would carry that happiness under my ribs, and hold onto it for as long as I could.

Max Ernst

They Have Slept in the Forest Too Long (1926),

A video of “We Have Always Survived” at the “Beacon” exhibition of NCECA (National Congress on Education for the Ceramic Arts) at The Leonardo in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This is my daughter Sarah, 3 years old. She lost her toys and her safe house from the war. We were forced to live in a tent filled with insects and rodents.

Like other children, they had fun with all the earth’s contents after losing its toys and making things

My daughter is infected with skin diseases .

Donate and share to help Sarah.

The campaign is verified by✅️ @gazavetters, my number verified on the list is ( #228 )✅️

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