Coromind Artworks Fest: Tuesday, 21st January

Caitlin Moloney

Caitlin Moloney is an Australian-born multidisciplinary artist of Celtic, Iberian, and Northwest European descent.  Born in Far North Queensland, Australia, Caitlin carries with her the imprint of the wet heat, vibrant skies, and rich sensory experiences of her birthplace. The sound of thunderstorms, lush green leaves, rain, loud birds, frogs, and verandahs remain vivid and grounding. This innate sensitivity to her environment has profoundly shaped Caitlin’s understanding of well-being and its importance in both personal and shared spaces, influencing her perspective as an artist and as a person.

In 2004, at the age of 26, Caitlin moved to Aotearoa New Zealand and was immediately captivated by the peacefulness of the Coromandel.

A few months later, Caitlin discovered the Coromandel’s vibrant clay community at Driving Creek Railway and Potteries. There, she was mentored by both local and international artists, honing her skills in an environment deeply connected to the earth. Driving Creek, shaped by its intimate relationship with the land, fosters a community of unconventional makers. This grassroots, collaborative spirit has been instrumental in Caitlin’s creative growth, grounding her practice in the rhythms of nature and the shared wisdom of those who live close to the earth.

Many homes in Coromandel Town and the surrounding area have a Tony Calsaferri on their wall. After 24 years of painting, Tony’s work has found its place, with him completing 100 paintings annually.

His colourful, creative pieces are well-liked and ‘becoming’ to interior decoration strongly influenced by Central American style and flair.

Tony’s artwork is all about bringing colour into people’s homes and wanting to increase the energy vibration of the person who views his work. “The colours are the bright colours, the colours of the rainforest, the colours of the Mayan culture,” says Tony.

Genevieve Morley is an artist with deep roots in the Coromandel art scene. At just 17 years old, she organised and curated her first exhibition, No Mill, at Hauraki House in Coromandel.

The exhibition, which showcased works by local artists including her mentors Tony Calsaferri and Tāme Iti, aimed to raise awareness about a proposed sawmill in Whangapoua.

The initiative, launched in 2004, was widely praised for its courage and determination, highlighting Genevieve’s passion for both art and environmental advocacy at a young age.

Yazmin Todd (FĒI LÍN) is a 24 year old, horse trainer, support worker and indie jazz folk musician of Singaporean Chinese and NZ European descent. She was born in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, with an upbringing shaped by the lush landscapes of Piha beach and the Tutukaka coast, Yazmin has lived in the Coromandel for the past 4 years, always feeling at home nestled in the bush with the sea in sight. Having a childhood close to nature has kept her close to the nature of her heart, and to follow her passions. She has a great love and curiosity for animals, art, music, writing, the environment, holistic health, and living (Ayurveda, Yoga and Permaculture).

Rachel Johnston, aka DJ SunRay, is all about positive energy and empowerment, skilfully integrating the lively strands of reggae into her life.

SunRay always puts a big emphasis on playing femme vocals and Dancehall from around the world.

She has a big love for deep, heavy, funky bass riddims (Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word ‘rhythm’), especially Dancehall and especially on a sound system.

It’s an experience to feel the bass vibrate through your body.