I went out Mapura Mangere Studios last week and interviewed Keenen, who has been coming to Mapura for about 18 months.

The class was having a discussion around Papatuanuku – showing how everything living thing is connected on Earth. Julia showed plants and what needed to maintain lives all living things connected. Artists responded to the discussion with their art response

In Māori tradition, Papatūānuku is the land. She is a mother earth figure who gives birth to all things, including people. Trees, birds and people are born from the land, which then nourishes them. Some traditions say that the land first emerged from under water.

Keenen enjoys being part of Mapura, and loves drawing and painting a variety of things. He looks forward to achieving more with Mapura. Keenan is Also involved with Ambury Park. He also likes zoom meetings and travelling to Australia.

Here is a selection of Keenen’s work: