#1 – Wide open space

Anonymous

"Wide open space - native bush. This captures the space I value - connection to the land - feels safe, familiar. Represents positivity for research new growth - seen by the koru = knew knowledge. Strengths-based approach designed by those sharing their stories. Safe space. Importance of creating a space that is valued by those part of the research. adaptable space."

#2 – Together we rise

Moushumi (Mo) Chaudhury

Anonymous

"Different shapes, different sizes, different experience. Sharing one passion, teaming to dance. I feel listened to, knowing a ________________choreography, Some had no experience, within 90 minutes frustration turned to joy. Me: satisfaction to see everyone moving together. Working as a team. Together we rise!"

#3 – Chatter

Anonymous

"In conversation with a friend, when our chatter and body language synced. Our thoughts and ideas separated and came together at times. In a research context, the "too" and "two" of a conversation, of ideas influencing + infusing between participants - nuggets of understanding, questions + acknowledgement evident + shared in an open way."

#4 – Validation

Hem Devan

Anonymous

"Listening & feeling listened to is a powerful form of validation. In this creative artefact, I've deliberately used two different colours (Black and Grey) to symbolise different worldviews/values held by people. Things are not always Black + White, hence the background white. The green connection symbolises when we meaningfully engage and listen with Aroha, we can learn & support each other & that is the power of Purakau. (A form of Maori storytelling). The thick & thin shades represent "we are different" but connected through listening & sharing our stories, which is empowering for both storyteller. THe visual results in "harmony"/"aroha"."

#5 – Fit

Anonymous

"A complicated shape (story). A feeling of "fit" with the listener who comes from elsewhere. A united picture (shadow) results, with little (none) of the listeners' projections."

#6 – Communication

Magdalena

Anonymous

"This morning when I asked my son to take the rubbish out. He noted that I felt stressed about time without me saying it in words. Listening to participants without my thoughts & feelings drowning out their message. Responding in a caring manner to their verbal & nonverbal communication."

#7 – Celebrated

Janette

Anonymous

"My painting represents the way that one person's story can be shared with another, and then another… each time it is celebrated for what it is and impacts the person listening in it's own unique personal & beautiful way."

#8 – Understood

Anonymous

"Someone understood me and things and idea's grew + flowed. Felt lighter once shared."

#9 – singing the same song

Anonymous

"It felt like everything was in tune and we were all singing and feeling the same song."

#10 – Spirals

Kate W

Anonymous

"Spirals coming together: moving in, moving out responding + connecting, sparks moving, energy happening, space/spacious, energised, in sync, flower -> the magic can happen"

#11 – Rainbow

Paora Moyle

Anonymous

"No box. No binarism All the colours of the rainbow. No beginning no end. For as long as we are alive our stories belong to us. Our truth. Our expression. Our lived reality."

#12 – Hear

Deb

Anonymous

"It allows the person being heard to share a piece of themselves white creating threads of potential between those who "hear"."

#13 – Light

Mrs Barlow

Anonymous

"Light @ the end of the tunnel" Long windy road

#15 – Time

Tania

Anonymous

"Being given the time. Enables life Joy"

#16 – Safe and understood

Anonymous

"Felt safe and understood. Felt informed and I grew from the experience. I have passed this information on to others and they have found it inspiring and have sought to learn more about the topic."

#17 – Attentive Listening

Anonymous

"Attentive listening in a calm environment, without any concern for the time. The conversation can take as long as is needed."

#18 – waves

Anonymous

"The last time I felt listened to was when I saw my therapist two weeks ago. The blue waves represent my own negative self-talk/thoughts + these arc woven with the gold representing positive thoughts + acknowledging my own strengths of the communities we are working with when conducting research."

#19 – Shared Trust

Anonymous

"The intimacy of conversation unlocking a feeling that is shared. Built on trust this expressed story nurtures the researcher but expands the narrator so their words scatter to the universe and the words continue their journey to nurture others, leaving peach with the narrator."

#20 – Immigrant

Melisa G

Anonymous

"Last time I felt listened to was when I talked to my parents, separately, over a video call. I talked to them about how nostalgic and hard it is to be an immigrant when you don't have your family close. I have represented that through the contrast of warmer colours ( human connection and love) and colder tones (nostalgia, homesickness). In a research context, I believe it is relevant to give importance to people's narratives and subjectivity as a reliable source of information. In certain topics such as colonisation, migration and such, personal experiences should be the way to inform the research."