This art projection follows the journey of a lone swamp tuna drawn toward the bright lights of Whakatāne. It moves through the city’s hidden waterways and urban environments, revealing an underground world normally unseen. The tuna’s realm becomes visible only in the darkness of winter and through the focused beam of gobo light.

Artist Bio

Tia Barrett: Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto.

Tia's creative practice is predominantly composed of moving image, song/sound making, installation, and photography, exploring narratives of connection, whakapapa, and the environment. Tia creates spaces, both physical and conceptual, that celebrate Indigenous ways of knowing. A PhD candidate at Auckland University of Technology, Tia holds a Master of Visual Arts from the same institution. Tia was a 2023 Te Tumu Toi Arts Foundation Springboard recipient.

Dr. Zena Elliott: Ngāti Awa.

Dr. Elliott is an artist and researcher whose work merges contemporary painting, whakairo, and popular culture. With a PhD in Indigi [IA] Techno-ecologies, Elliott integrates storytelling and speculative fiction into visual art. They are currently a Parehuia McCahon artist in residence for 2026.