The year’s premiere creative shindig, Semi-Permanent, is fast approaching, coming at us like confetti being shot from an extra large and magically benevolent cannon. One particularly inspirational clump to be found within that confetti is Cleo Wade, an innovative New York-based artist and poet, who aims to empower, inspire and celebrate femininity with her eclectic mixed-media works. 

Guided by a belief that art is for all people, Cleo creates large scale public art pieces. Her latest project: Respect, is an emotive love letter to her native New Orleans, affixed on a giant billboard at the entrance of the city’s French quarter. Her follow up piece to Respect, entitled “She,” was created in collaboration with graffiti artist Brandon Odums, and is permanently installed on the side of a 50-foot warehouse building in New Orleans Bywater neighbourhood. 

In 2016, she’s set to publish a book of modern love poetry, and additionally launch a line of sustainable stationary with her all-female arts collective, Chez Conversations. 

Cleo will be appearing as part of the Semi-Permanent Auckland programme. Check out the full speaker lineup and their programme overflowing with side events at https://beta.semipermanent.com/events/semi-permanent-auckland-2016. 

Semi-Permanent are offering the CreativeMornings community a 10% discount off tickets! Ka mau te wehi!! Just head over to their ticketmaster page and enter the special offer code loveu1610 to grab the discount.