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Donna Turtle Sarten and Bernie Harfleet are known for public works that investigate psychological, social and geo-political issues. 

Their latest collaborative work Words & Pictures invites Splore festival goers to decorate and write postcards to send to unknown recipients beyond the festival site including refugees, elderly and kids in hospital. The 'splore postal service' is centered around the idea of the unexpected encounter and friendly gesture to extend the festival spirit to the wider community.

"Public art is important everywhere," says Bernie. "At a festival, like Splore, the visitors live with the work in the sense that it's part of their environment rather than seen fleetingly in a gallery setting. It becomes and is a community contributor."

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Donna Turtle Sarten: 10pm to 2am 
Bernie Harfleet: There is no specific time. I’m constantly thinking, analysing, and forming ideas. I try and remain open, who knows when the ‘eureka’ moment will strike.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Donna: I mostly hear Macabre, OCD, obstinate and persistent.
Bernie: Thoughtful, meticulous and provocative.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Donna: Collaborations with Bernie that have gone beyond the exhibition. With the Feed the Kids Too projects, we filled up the 7500 lunch boxes that we used in the sculptures with food and gave them to 7500 kids in low decile schools.
Bernie: When viewers engage with and respond to the work. Each viewers interpretation and response keeps art fresh and evolving.

How does your environment affect your work?

Donna: My past environment was a ‘Once were Warriors’ childhood. I presume this effects what I make in my present environment. I work from home so its easy to get distracted, but great when we have big projects on.
Bernie: My personal environment supports my work, and the wider social and community environment informs it.  

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Donna: The big picture. With the lunch box project, 6000 lunch boxes turned up at our house. They were equal to a 40 foot container full. Where would we put them was a minor detail.
Bernie: Both. I see the big picture first, but then focus on the details in order to see the big picture realised. A bit of reality therapy should not be underestimated.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Donna: It’s okay not to have a so called real job. My job is real. I have a piece of paper that took six years to get that tells me it is, it just doesn’t make any money. And, don’t take the rejection letters personally, decorate the outhouse with them. 
Bernie: Making income from something other than art is ok, and often necessary, but it is simply a detail of the big picture.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Donna: Feed the Kids - when a viewer saw the work and then went home and changed who she donated to instead of a child overseas, but to KidsCan. 
Bernie: My work on domestic violence, and my collaborative work with Donna. Our photo show Norm & Noeleen, and community interactive works Feed the Kids Too and Give a Kid a Blanket.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Donna: Frida Kahlo, Christian Boltanski and Louise Bourgeois. Despaired by the state of our country I continue to make work to raise awareness about poverty, housing and other social issues. Bernstein said “To achieve great things, two things are needed a plan and not quite enough time”. 
Bernie: Donna inspires me, she has an amazing work ethic and resilience. Social bullshit inspires me to respond and make. Artists can, and should, be social commentators.

Tell us a bit about your background 

Donna: MFA Elam School of Fine Art. My work investigates various contemporary power relations including psychological, social and geo-political. Projects have engaged with topics ranging from war to child abuse, and ways of addressing situations that are endemic to our social situation while at the same time that sit outside society’s comfort zone. 
Bernie: I’m adopted. A ‘self taught’ artist. A ‘Westie’. I have just clocked up 30 years working with kids with disabilities.

Tell us about your work at Splore and how it responds to the theme Odyssey

BH/DTS: Our work at Splore is a community interactive art installation. It will have a life beyond the festival. Splore goers will decorate and write postcards which will then be received by strangers. We are looking at Odyssey as an epic journey, which we are all on. The intended card recipients are kids, the elderly and new New Zealanders (refugees).

Why is public art important, especially at a festival?

Bernie: Public art is important everywhere. At a festival, like Splore, the visitors live with the work in the sense that it's part of their environment rather than seen fleetingly in a gallery setting. It becomes and is a community contributor. 
Donna: A lot of our work is seen in the public arena. It’s great to be able to have a discussion with people that would not normally go into art galleries, museums and for them to question is this ART? 

If you could go back and choose a different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Donna: That’s easy, but there’s two career paths that were available to me, a comedian or an organised malefactor more like modern day  Robin-hood rather than cartel!
Bernie: Some sort of therapist

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

Donna: A noose for my mother! If you met my mother you would understand. Look up Norm & Noeleen - MoMento Issue 11
Bernie: A triptych.  

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Donna: Get a dog and walk it for two hours a day 
Bernie: Get in touch with nature.

What’s your big idea for 2016?

Donna: Make 10,000 windmills/pinwheels  
Max and Bella and Friends 
Feed the Kids Too 

Bernie: We are keen to keep building on our collaborative partnership. We want to look at mental health and in particular depression and anxiety. We have a specific sculptural installation work in mind but need to be able to fund it first. Anyone out there got a spare $15,000?

• Words & Pictures is part of the Arts Trail at Splore 2016, 19-21 February at Tapapakanga Park, Auckland