We had a sweet sign painting hui on Sunday, asking the community to be as kind as poss to the plants that are doing their very best to grow in conditions that aren’t particularly favourable - floods, road run off, pollution, unwell soil thats only slowly coming alive again - all of these things are contributing to the slow growth of our plants and the general health of the garden. Interesting how none of us thrive when the conditions aren’t good for all eh… 🧐

It felt good to have the garden bustling with folks tending to the soil and talking about ecologies of care.

Ngakinga, the 4th iteration of the Inhabit Project, began as a series of questions; could we collectively care for an un(der)used  piece of whenua - nurture it back to good health whilst growing a garden of colour to create natural dye pigments and make art. Could we lean in on the needs of the soil and the worms - lean on each other - and create the conditions to thrive?  Could we build community on ethics of care and collaboration?

It’s been 9 months and we’re building. Slowly.

Through a lot of repetition and showing up.

And letting go.

Finding meaning in the process rather than the outcome and discovering the best conditions for growth.

If this sounds interesting to you come to our next garden day! All dates on the website www.inhabitproject.com - link in bio

We acknowledge Mana Whenua as the kaitaiki of this land, and their tupuna past, present, and emerging. 🖤🤍❤️

#socialsculpture #naturaldye  #socialpractice