Shawnee Tekii
Interactive, bold and political graphic designer
Shawnee Tekii Interactive, bold and political are just a few of many words one can use to describe Shawnee’s graphic design practice.
‘Art After Hours: F’Rock Da Base’ with the Pacific Sisters, 2019, Photo by Art History Society AKL
‘ia tu’uatu, ia fa’amalolo, ia tupu, 2019, Photo by Shawnee Tekii Nipadua: The Human Tree by Janina Nana Yaa, 2020, Photo by Nicole Semitara Hunt
Still from ‘ia teu, ia alofa, ia puipui, ina tasi, 2019, Film by Hōhua Kurene
Shawnee Tekii uses art as a tool to create social engagement. Often tackling the political issues that surround the community. The digital age plays a large role in underpinning her practice. Shawnee’s work is often influenced by mainstream media and through the use of bold aesthetics and Instagram worthy graphics, she aims to communicate her political agenda directly to audiences of her generation. Her work encourages the use of mobile phones to either document or activate deeper conceptual content. She often draws inspiration from graphic design in advertising and branding – resulting in bold, attention seeking works.
“The development of social media and data configuration has influenced how we react, think, move and perceive the world.”
Shawnee Tekii describes the political element of her practice and how participation activates her work.
Video by NoSix.
“…I like to think of myself as that middleman, messenger, just trying to get stories out to the public.”
- Shawnee Tekii