The Forgotten Toheroa
Pressure printing techniques with ink on paper.
My print work series is focusing on one of our endangered iconic shellfish the Toheroa. This sizable shellfish endemic to a handful of New Zealand’s beaches were once a bountiful and were feasted upon by Kiwis. However, today Toheroa are a forgotten icon of New Zealand culinary and marine world. My series of posters inform three of many ways Toheroa are threatened today. The collection uses hand-cut lettering, pressure printing, digital elements and accentuates textures using a range of materials to emphases the tactility of the Toheroa and environment. With these design outputs I want to spread the word, many Kiwis have forgotten the iconic Toheroa and even more don’t know what they are, too young to have been around when they were plentiful. My aim is to remind Kiwis of our connection to the land and to look after our beautiful ecosystem.
Crumbling Under the Sheer Weight discusses how vehicle traffic has a significant impact on Toheroa.
All You Can Eat embodies the times in summer when voracious predators gorge themselves on the young shellfish.
Caught Red Handed shows the sinister act of poaching the illegal shellfish.
My fourth piece is to be signage used where Toheroa are found this will remind visitors the laws put in place.
Laura Young
Massey University, Wellington
Bachelor of Design (Hons) - Major in Visual Communication Design
