Art therapy: Hastings woman's 'koha of aroha'

Aukati, currently on display at Arts Inc Heretaunga in Hastings, is about one woman's journey to"call herself home". Photo / Supplied

A Hastings woman has found healing through turning her trauma into an immersive art space where she hopes others will too.

"Aukati" means to create a boundary.

For Kezia Whakamoe, it's s about creating a "safe space to grieve" and call herself home.

Incorporating aspects of mātauranga Māori, the immersive art exhibition currently on display at Arts Inc Heretaunga focuses on creative healing ritual practices, body sovereignty, and the effects of ongoing embedded trauma lines.

It explores deep hurts and trauma such as sexual violence.

Whakamoe doesn't describe herself as a victim or a survivor, but rather "someone who has come home".

PKezia Whakamoe's new art exhibition Aukati allowed her to explore her trauma and turn it into "a safe space to grieve" as a mana wāhine. Photo / Supplied

"I stand in my mana. This was my ultimate love story to myself."

It was her way of telling herself, "come back, it's safe".

Started in 2018 as part of her master of Māori visual arts, she said it was the bravest thing she'd ever done.

It features a diverse range of mediums designed to challenge colonial institutes, art academics and tikanga Māori.

"I wanted the art world to see that this is Māori art."

The range of mediums also reinforces the diversity of healing and addressing trauma.

Part of her master of Māori visual arts, Kezia Whakamoe's Aukati explores mana wāhine creative healing ritual practices, body sovereignty, and the impact of embedded trauma lines. Photo / Supplied

"There's no one way to do this," Whakamoe said.

"One of the mediums is grief, the other is trust.

"There are safe spaces within ourselves that we can learn to trust ourselves when it comes to speaking about and dealing with trauma.

"This is my koha of aroha."

Whakamoe said the exhibition was about addressing the elephant in the room and creating space to talk about sexual violence and trauma.

Kezia Whakamoe says the exhibition was about addressing the elephant in the room and creating space to talk about sexual violence and trauma. Photo / Supplied

Entering the exhibition, people are met with a challenge from Hine-nui-e-te-pō, the goddess of night and death.

A soundtrack serves as a pōwhiri, greeting guests as well as calling to Whakamoe.

The gallery walls are covered in mirrored wax encaustic paintings, which represent a meeting space.

In the centre, a variety of rongoā and weavings are laid out in relation to compass points, with each direction tied to earth collected from places of significance to Whakamoe, such as Te Urewera and Wellington.

Whakamoe acknowledged all who had helped her including Richard Nunns, Aroha Yates-Smith and Hirini Melbourne.

Birds feature heavily in the exhibition, both native and introduced species.

Aukati will run at Arts Inc Heretaunga until July 31.

SEXUAL HARM - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone contact the Safe to Talk confidential crisis helpline on:

• Text 4334 and they will respond

• Email support@safetotalk.nz

Looking for support? It's available

• 211 Helpline (0800 211 211) – for help finding, and direct transfer to, community-based health and social support services in your area.

• Find your local Women's Refuge by calling 0800 743 843 (0800 REFUGE) to be linked up with an advocate in your area.

• Tu Wahine Trust – call 09 838 8700 for kaupapa Māori counselling, therapy and support for survivors of sexual harm (mahi tukino) and violence within whānau.

• Shakti New Zealand – call 0800 742 584 for culturally competent support services for women, children and families of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin who have experienced domestic violence.

• Safe to Talk – sexual harm helpline. Call 0800 044 334, text 4334 or email support@safetotalk.nz.

• Rape Crisis Centres – call 0800 88 3300 for contact details of your local centre. Provides support for survivors of sexual abuse, their families, friends and whānau.

• Male Survivors Aotearoa New Zealand – call 0800 044 344. Offers one-to-one, peer and support groups for male survivors of sexual abuse and their significant others.

• Korowai Tumanoko – text or call 022 474 7044 for a kaupapa Māori service for those with concerning or harmful sexual behaviour.