Creative Capital: Indigenous creative practice with Zoe Black and Jade Townsend
Creative Capital is a podcast from Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi about advocacy and systems change. Hosted by Elyssia Wilson-Heti (FAFSWAG), it explores the role that arts, culture and creativity play in Tāmaki Makaurau - with a focus on the people behind the work and their vision for the future.
Zoe Black and Jade Townsend discuss advocating for under-represented craft forms and navigating Indigenous artistic identity. They kōrero about the importance of supporting artists for creative freedom, embracing diverse perspectives in art, and the transformative impact of sisterhood and mutual support in the creative community.
Episode themes:
The role of advocacy in promoting indigenous creative practice, including the importance of community development and centering creative practices beyond visual classifications.
Fostering environments that prioritise artists' wellbeing, allowing them to create without constraints - with resources, time, and nurturing spaces that value their practices and diverse identities.
The importance of unity and sisterhood among wāhine Māori artists, emphasising the power of coming together to share experiences, uplift one another, and navigate creative spaces with confidence. They envision a future where indigenous artists feel valued, supported, and free to express their unique perspectives.
Reflections on resting and honouring Māori traditions during Matariki, encouraging a shift towards restful practices for artists.
Listen to the full korero here:
Zoe Black (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Pākehā) is the deputy director of Objectspace in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been working in galleries for the past ten years. Her curatorial practice has focused on community development and advocating for critically under-represented craft and object art forms.
Jade Townsend (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) is a visual artist and storyteller working at the intersection of her Māori, Pākehā and British heritage. She runs Season Gallery in Tamaki Makaurau with Francis McWhannell. The gallery places a strong emphasis on curated exhibitions and public engagement.
