Takiwatanga:

In Your Own Time and Space

Takiwatanga is a Maori word that means in my own time and space. I chose this title for my art show to pay tribute to the autistic people that nurtured and brought me home to myself. I am neurodivergent with a diagnosis of ADHD. I had a stroke six years ago. At the time of my stroke, I was a mental health counselor and I was running a community art studio for artists and teachers with disabilities. I was going too fast and not taking care of myself. My body and mind were overworked and I had a stroke as a result. 

My life re-started after my stroke and I began seeing and feeling the world differently. For example, I lost my short-term memory so people stopped relying on me which freed up space and time that I could spend with myself. I stopped feeling angry because I couldn’t remember what I was mad about which gave me peace and optimism. I realized my auditory and spacial sensitivities were mirroring the symptoms of my autistic clients and friends. Noises were too loud. Places were overwhelming. These heightened senses were all new to me and I was struggling. I needed to find a way to cope. I applied the lessons my autistic friends taught me and my situation got better. They guided me on how to live a whole and happy life by their example. What I learned from autism is the power of letting go and accepting my brain as it is now. I found new ways to exist and I owe it to doing it in my own space and time. This new way of life brought me back to myself, my community, my loving partner, and my friends. I have had a long journey home to myself and I’m proud that I do things differently now. I ask myself what feels good in my body? What people and places bring me joy? What if I sit here quietly for a little longer? What if I talk to this person because they feel safe? What artwork do I want to make today? I have my autistic friends to thank for teaching me the lesson of slowing down, staying curious and accepting myself. 

I love to use collage and layers in my artwork. I work with old letters, photos, fabric, thread, spray paint, acrylic paint, watercolor, graphite, and any other material that inspires me. I like to draw and then cut up the drawings and reassemble them in a new way. I incorporate my writing as well. Each piece is an expression of an experience or a thought I have had. I make art as a way to calm myself. My brain and body need to make art to stay healthy and grounded. I communicate what I’m going through and what I’m feeling through my art.

When I’m not making artwork, I am a counselor and the founder and director of Columbus On the Spectrum which is a nonprofit that provides wellness services to neurodiverse people in our community.