Art as a tool for activism and decolonisation with Van Mei

Creative Capital

This month we’re taking with Van Mei who is an artist and writer currently based in Te Ika-a-Māui. They are the current Kaitohu (Director) of The Pantograph Punch, an online arts and culture platform that’s been nourishing writers and audiences for 13 years.

Prior to this they were the Director of Enjoy Contemporary Art Space for a stint and have worked, published and exhibited across performing arts, visual arts and publishing for a number of years. They believe in a future where we can see arts in Aotearoa thrive for the benefit of many, not just survive as we are currently. The tiktok clips that Van refers to in the conversation can be seen below: “Queer people are a threat to every structure of power” – this video by @blackqueerliberation “Collectivist vs Individualist safety” – this video by @ayandastood
“The imagination of white genocidal maniacs” – reference to this tiktok by Ismatu Gwendolyn / @th.readings