Bay of Plenty art show celebrates young people, profits to go to charity

John Paul College teacher Cordula Taiwo alongside her painting of Year 9 student Liam Reinders. Photo / Andrew Warner

A Rotorua teacher who is on a mission to "normalise" strong emotions felt by young people will soon open a charity art exhibition in Tauranga.

Painted by John Paul's College teacher Cordula Taiwo, the series of works is a "therapeutic response" to the problems young people face.

The exhibition will open in Tauranga on October 29, with all profits going to charitable trust Live for More - an organisation that uses surf therapy to support young men in turning their lives around.

Taiwo said a motivation behind the exhibition was to encourage young people to communicate and process feelings such as anger, happiness and being scared.

"A lot of kids don't know how to deal with their emotions, and we don't take enough time to help them normalise their emotions.

"It's okay to be angry, it's okay to be scared - these emotions won't last forever. Emotions do not make us, they are just part of who we are."

Taiwo, who lives with anxiety, said she started painting about five years ago to improve her quality of life.

"I have to actively work to have a good life, and painting has become a big part of that."

The idea for the exhibition came about after being moved to tears after attending a Live for More graduation ceremony in early 2020.

Inspired by the "brave" stories of the graduating men, Taiwo asked if she could create artworks of those in the programme. She knew it was a cause that she wanted to get behind.

"I cried, and my husband cried. I asked if I could paint these young men, and that really improved my own painting because it gave me a purpose."

Now a series of 32 works will be shown in Tauranga next week, sharing scenes of the Live for More programme and portraits of different John Paul College students portraying different feelings.

Each John Paul College student was able to choose what emotion to express.

For Year 9 student Liam Reinders, the obvious choice was happiness.

John Paul College student Liam Reinders at Mount Maunganui beach last year. Photo / Supplied

The 14-year-old lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth - a rare neuromuscular condition that affects the nerves supplying his muscles.

Symptoms include falling over, fatigue and muscle pain, with Liam sometimes relying on a wheelchair to get around.

But despite his battle with the incurable condition, Liam said the painting most definitely accurately represents him.

"I am really happy in real life. I like to make people happy."

He said in the "inspiring" painting his "mouth is wide open with happiness", and he looks "excited and ready to go".

Taiwo was "one of the best artists" and "basically my favourite teacher", he said.

Asked how he remains happy when things get tough, Liam said he could always rely on his family for support.

"They help me keep up, they help me get myself going."

Liam's father Mark described his son as a "bundle of sunshine" who was "always in a good mood".

"He sees the world exactly how the teacher has painted him."

"He has a very can-do attitude and there is no challenge for him. He will just do it and think about the consequences later."

Taiwo said she used an array of golden tones in the painting because when Liam smiled it was like the sun was shining.

"He's a bit of a legend really. Liam chose happiness. He looks like a sunbeam."

New Zealand poet Glenn Colqhoun will be reciting poetry on gala night from his new book Letter to Young People.

Becoming exhibition opens at 6.30pm on October 29 and will run until October 31. It is being held at Back Studio in Tauriko.