Two generations of women showcasing their own art is the idea behind 17:72 Generations, featuring the ecological focus of Margaret Willard and the youthful work of Marie Burling.

Kaitoke-based Marie, 17, is a painter and emerging tattoo artist who now enjoys the freedom to express herself in her art since leaving school, especially as she has navigated life’s challenges. Her dad has offered himself as her blank canvas to practise tattooing on until she gets paid work, and is happy with the results so far.

Margaret uses photography and unique eco-printing and cyanotype techniques to depict our native flora and incorporate them into collages of abstract designs and landscapes or simply portrayed as the taonga she believes them to be. She will also have eco-printed silk scarves and cards on sale.

Now living on the Kapiti coast she is a Level 6 student at The Learning Connexion. Her passion about conserving what is left of our native environment has led her to write an essay for a competition promoted by Zealandia about the life of a 400-year-old beech tree near her former home in Wainuiomata. Copies will be available at the exhibition.

Facebook: @marguniqueart