Noel Ratapu
Date of birth
1997
Place of birth
Gender
Female
Biography
Noel Ratapu
"half Maori (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata) and half American (French Canadian, English, Irish, Cherokee). I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3 and have been in a wheelchair since I was eleven. I don't let my disability stop me from doing the things I love and experience as much of the world as I can.
My work is a reflection of the past 2-3 years. I've spent a lot of time isolated from people, especially people my age. I've gone through some major physical and emotional trauma and these photos are my way of expressing that. My title comes from a line in a song that Frida Kahlo once say - to me is says, "Don't Give Up!"
Noel is a photographer with a unique perspective, she sees and documents her world through the lens of a young person living with and embracing her condition. Her work is poetic, compelling and contemplative".
[Taken from introductory text from Noel Ratapu's exhibition "Child of my Heart. Tomorrow is Another Day", held at Tairawhiti Museum 18 December 2015 - 14 February 2016.
"half Maori (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata) and half American (French Canadian, English, Irish, Cherokee). I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 3 and have been in a wheelchair since I was eleven. I don't let my disability stop me from doing the things I love and experience as much of the world as I can.
My work is a reflection of the past 2-3 years. I've spent a lot of time isolated from people, especially people my age. I've gone through some major physical and emotional trauma and these photos are my way of expressing that. My title comes from a line in a song that Frida Kahlo once say - to me is says, "Don't Give Up!"
Noel is a photographer with a unique perspective, she sees and documents her world through the lens of a young person living with and embracing her condition. Her work is poetic, compelling and contemplative".
[Taken from introductory text from Noel Ratapu's exhibition "Child of my Heart. Tomorrow is Another Day", held at Tairawhiti Museum 18 December 2015 - 14 February 2016.