Joya: AiR / Tess Sheerin / NZL

“E kore au e ngaro, he kakano ahau i ruia mai i Rangiatea. I can never be lost, I am a seed sown from Rangiatea.

Travel has always held deep meaning for me, as has my connection to Aotearoa, New Zealand. My mahi (work) blends art, environmental change, and education. Raising awareness of pollution, well-being and wildlife conservation through creativity.

After a vibrant week in Madrid absorbing art, including photoESPAÑA, I arrived at Joya: arte + ecología / AiR, hoping to carry forward that creative spark. In the studio, I’ve been developing mixed media works exploring the four elements, tierra, aire, agua, fuego, through collected materials like blanco clay, compost, bubbles play, watercolour and candle flame. This has pushed my practice into fresh, exciting directions.

The experience here has been truly inspiring. Simon and Donna’s generosity and wisdom have been invaluable. Living with artists from around the world has opened my eyes to diverse creative approaches, yet shared values unite us.

These 2D works complement my ‘Elemental’ sculpture series, developed in Aotearoa, which portrays the elements as atua-like deities characters. Viewers are invited to see themselves as the potential fifth element.

The concept began with a simple line drawing to capture the quiet space between thoughts during meditation. With the help of skilled collaborators and a mix of mechanical and digital processes, the work evolved into something beautifully unexpected. Using stainless steel, a durable, sustainable material, ‘Elemental’ encourages reflection on our relationship with the natural world and action toward a greener future.

My connection with the sky has been reignited here. Sunrise and sunset, with their apricot hues, bookend each day. Thunderstorms and dramatic cloudscapes have offered rich, atmospheric backdrops for photographing the sculptures. The desert environment, hot, raw, and unlike anything I’ve known, has shaped every moment.

Frida the giant schnauzer and Fufu the goat bring joy. There are bugs, birds, snails and a visiting grass snake. Though at times I feel a mix of anxiety and exhilaration, I remain deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the support from those back home who helped make it possible.

Joya: AiR’s mission to engage with climate change and sustainability through education, research, and activism resonates deeply with me. It has truly been an honour to be part of this”.

Tess Sheerin tesssheerin.com

Simon Beckmann22 July 2025