Jessica Thompson Carr on Colonisation, Kōkōwai and advocating for indigenous voices
Saucettes! This week I chatted with artist Jessica Thompson Carr. Jessica’s work has captivated me from afar over the last few years, and I’ve always wanted to hold space for them on Sauce. Finally – we’re here.
I loved speaking with Jessica, I felt their integrity brimming through the phone as we discussed anything and everything. I implore you to take a minute to listen to them, let their words roll around in your brain, research kōkōwai and if you feel compelled to do so, speak up and get involved in reclaiming Pūtiki Bay back to the Ngāti Pāoa.
What is your full name and place of birth?
Jessica Hinerangi Thompson Carr. I was born in Ōtepoti (Dunedin), Aotearoa (New Zealand).
What are your pronouns?
She/they.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a full-time artist and writer! I work mainly on Instagram as well as in my community.
What percentage of your time do you split between your commissions and your passion projects?
It’s about 60/40. I’m trying to learn how to say no to new work so that I can focus on just drawing and writing for myself, but sadly gotta pay the bills.
How do you go about securing paid work?
It took a few years to get to a point where I was finally being offered commissions on the regular. I had to find my online community, engage with other creatives on the same road, and use a ton of hashtags haha! Being an artist isn’t about isolating yourself, for me, it’s about finding like-minded people with the same passion and ahi kā. Find your community, find your style, and the mahi will follow.
Are there any consistent themes throughout your work? What do you think makes your style unique?
My work revolves around reclamation, Papatūānuku, Māori identity and healing. I draw simple line drawings of people and atua (gods), in an attempt to translate my experiences and the experiences of my whānau. I wouldn’t say my style is particularly unique, but it’s fun and fierce.
What artistic medium do you use that is unique to your craft?
I’ve recently been working with kōkōwai, which is red ochre. I mix it with honey or oil and water, and I paint with it. This is a sacred medium, as the ochre is harvested from the earth, and when I work with it I am working with my tūpuna and our life force which comes from Papatūānuku.
Do you have any rules about harvesting?
So far I’ve been gifted all my kōkōwai from two friends and a little goes a long way! It’ll take me dozens of paintings before I get through it all, but when I do finally go to harvest for the first time I will do so with karakia and I’ll aim to harvest from my whenua in Taranaki.
Where do you find it?
Kōkōwai can be found in volcanic regions where the chemicals are right and make this burning orange or red colour. You can find yellow and brown and sometimes the very rare blue as well!
Where are you currently?
Currently, we are stuck in a random bach in ōtaki, acquired by my mother’s PHD student’s friends’ neighbours’ parents who kindly let us move in for lockdown. Before (and after) this we have been travelling Aotearoa in a little self-contained van trying to get to know our whenua and whakapapa.
Surely your van has a name?
Haha super random but her name is “Chiquitita” because we listen to so much ABBA when we drive.
What is one thing you have learnt so far on your travels?
That I didn’t need to pack as many clothes as I did. Seriously I wear the same sweatpants every day- why did I need five dresses?!
Favourite place in Aotearoa?
My favourite place that I’ve seen so far has been Taranaki because I have whakapapa there and I got soooo many cool tohu (signs) from my ancestors while I was visiting. It’s a stunning landscape with a heavy history and the bush around the mountain is phenomenal.
Most overrated place in Aotearoa?
Probably Auckland city haha but only because I get overwhelmed on the roads and the energy is HECTIC. There are so many people and the whakapapa of the land there is intense, it’s hard not to pick up on all of that and have it bog me down. I can only last a few days there before I have to leave.
What are you really passionate about advocating for right now?
I will always be passionate about my māori community and our rights. Currently, several occupations are ongoing, the one I have been the most focussed on is Pūtiki Bay at Waiheke island. The Ngāti Pāoa and friends are protesting a marina which is being built in sacred waters right beside the nests of many threatened blue penguins. The kaupapa is about the protection of our natural ecosystem as well as returning the moana and the land to kaitiaki. What is happening at Pūtiki Bay is a really obvious example of colonisation in progress, and anyone who cares about climate change should look into it. We cannot heal our earth properly unless we prioritise indigenous voices.
How can Saucettes help save Pūtiki Bay?
You can follow the social media accounts: @protectputiki and @putikiprotectors
And best of all, when it’s safe and lockdown is over, you can show up <3 the ferry leaves from Britomart and is about $42 for an adult return trip and $107 for a vehicle.
Now it’s Sauce, so we have to ask you… what are your favourite beauty products right now?
Well, I have to pack light so slim pickings with the van life, but I always use my Tahi skincare cleansing oil every night and every day. It keeps my skin feeling smooth and healthy and I love the natural ingredients included such as harakeke extract, kawakawa and koromiko.
When do you feel most empowered?
I feel most empowered when I’m hanging out with my friends discussing land back, envisioning the future of Aotearoa, the future of the māori art world. My friends empower me. My māori community empowers me.
How do we find you?
You can follow me on Instagram: @maori_mermaid <3 I post my art, my writing, and my travels.
Images — All via Jess’ instagram
Words — Interview by Liam Sharma
