Annay Kara

Annay expresses herself through art and printmaking, often depicting Māori figures such as Marakihau, Wheku, and Manaia in her own personal flair. She explores the infinite possibilities within art and enjoys creating pieces filled with love and color.

As a Māori artist, she aims to create unique works of art that bring stories to life and reconnect with the fundamentals of Māori art.

“I view this piece as a window into the everyday emotional journey we all take. ‘Hubba Bubbles’ the wheku, becomes a playful yet powerful expression of these inner states. Its features embody layers of emotion stretching from delight and anticipation to uncertainty and vulnerability. 

Through this work, I wanted to explore how emotions rise, overlap, and bubble to the surface, just like blowing a bubble that can grow, stretch, and finally burst. This cycle mirrors the way we face new challenges and experiences in life. The wheku reminds us that excitement and fear often exist side by side, and that both are essential when we are exploring something new. “