Growing up in New Zealand we’re all taught one thing: be humble. A high horse is the last thing we’re supposed to clamber on, but when you’ve got something to say—something important like fighting for equality—speaking up from ground level ain’t going to cut through.When Andrea Orani returned to Auckland after a year in New York, she was struck by the way our talented creatives are too often kneecapped by Tall Poppy Syndrome and self-doubt. So she decided to do something about it. “We have all the tools to do heaps of cool creative shit. It’s very cliquey. I want to break that down,” Orani told VICE.
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She invited 10 women of colour working across art, dance, writing, fashion and music to form a loose collective called Dynasty. Despite coming from different backgrounds and disciplines they unite over shared values. The name was chosen for its connotations of power, legacy and entitlement.With Māori, Scottish, Cook Island and Tahitian heritage, Orani says she grew up struggling with questions over her identity. Dynasty is about forming a space where everyone feels confident to be themselves. That doesn’t mean Dynasty has been without its challenges, like when it came to defining the parameters for the first pop-up exhibition Dinner’s Ready, on this weekend at 323 Queen St.“We have had heated discussions especially over the line up for Dynasty. Do we include men? Do include white people who maybe identify as Māori because they were raised up north? All of these schematics have come into it. In the end we decided we set out to bring about equality and raise awareness and all the artists identify with that.”Dinner's Ready is on show November 18 and 19, 323 Queen St, Auckland. Orani shared with VICE this preview of work by some of the artists.A quote in an earlier version of this article has been updated for clarity.
Ruth Stowers
