Undone Darling Writers Residency

When I first started writing poetry, I wrote for myself. I held no judgments of my own words and poetry was not a job, it was not a means to pay bills and put food on the table. I wrote solely because it helped me to explore who I am and how to make sense of the world around me, sometimes even to empower those listening/reading.

Being a single mum and pursuing the Arts as a full time career tiptoes somewhere between inspiring, stupidity and naivety. But none the less, it is the path that has chosen me for the last 3 years.

So often I have taken time away from my son, to take up work outside of Auckland whether it be performing or teaching. Sacrificing mummy time. I know this is a reality for many parents, but it doesn't make it any more easier.

Undone Darling is about taking ownership for my prime role as a mother and also my own artistry.

After 7 years of helping to pave platforms and pathways for spoken word poetry in Aotearoa, I have finally taken a year out to develop my own artistic work, that I work to approach in a holistic way which involves me being a mother first. For me, writing is a means of healing, but sometimes healing needs to occur first in order to brave the writing.

I have the opportunity in June to spend a month on Big Island Hawai‘i to do just that. I will begin the writing of my second collection of poetry FULL BROKEN BLOOM. Poems that smash the strong Pacific superwomen identity and expose the bare bones we are so artful at disguising.

However, it is not funded. So I am putting on a gig on the 2nd May with some other fine Auckland artists to raise the funds for both my son and I's airfare and some living costs.

This page exists for those that are either unable to make the gig on the night or live outside of Auckland.

Any contribution/mea alofa is gratefully received by both my son and I.

REWARD:

There is a mea alofa/gift for the donation that reaches either $100 or the highest amount.

This gift is either a commissioned poem OR a performance by myself. Makes for a good pressie for a loved one ;)

Thank you for your support.

In gratitude, alofa and poetry

Grace