Nexus: There is a lot of whānau inspiration in your works, do they support your art?
Rosa: I have been fortunate enough to have a whānau that supports my art and design work. I am a strong minded and passionate person and I am grateful for their encouragement.
Nexus: Why did you pursue a career in art?
Rosa: A lot of my classes in my final year of high school were all creative courses. I have always enjoyed finding ways to express myself and my ideas visually. I think it’s important to pursue a career that you are passionate about and enjoy doing. I couldn’t think of anything worse than working everyday at a job I hate.
Nexus: Do you often encounter criticism of your work? How do you deal with that?
Rosa: As a Communication Design student, yes I do encounter criticism. I enjoy receiving criticism, whether it be good or bad. I think there is always room for improvement, and receiving feedback from others is a good learning experience. You can only get better from criticism.
Nexus: What sets you apart from other artists? Is setting yourself apart from other artists a good thing?
Rosa: As you mentioned, there are a lot of whānau inspiration in my works. I have recently been delving into my whakapapa (family history), and have discovered much about my ancestors. Many of my recent illustrations are based on images I have found about them. I think this is what sets me apart from other artists. I’m not only expressing my own story in my work but also my family before me. I think to begin with, setting yourself apart from other artists isn’t necessary, as you are still learning and experimenting with different styles.
Nexus: What made you transition from painting to digital media?
Rosa: Not only for convenience, but I have always loved digital media and the aspect of advancing technology. I also work faster with digital media, so I guess it’s a win-win situation. Although, I do love painting and the fact that it’s tangible.
Nexus: What does your work symbolise?
Rosa: I think my recent illustrations strongly represent family and culture. I love to incorporate Māori symbols to reflect those messages. I also use natural colours in my illustrations with the idea of going back to my roots. Overall, my works are more of an appreciation towards my family.
