manisha anjali
Photography of Manisha by Roberta Joy Rich
Share a little about yourself..
I am a writer and artist. I live in poetry and dreams. I am in love with music, textiles and folk stories. I collect and publish dreams by the People of the World over at Neptune, my dream archiving project. I have an Australia-shaped birthmark on my waist.
You were born in Fiji, raised in Aotearoa (New Zealand) - and now living in Naarm (Melbourne) - could you share a little of your experience with each of these places?
I lived in Suva, Fiji until I was 8 years old. I had a dreamy tropical childhood full of books, animals and nature. When my family moved to Aotearoa, I experienced feeling cold for the first time. I was excited to encounter things I had only ever read about in books — like autumn leaves, strawberries and snow.
Aotearoa is a beautiful, mythic place. I felt so restless there. I moved to Naarm as a young adult and found the freedom of expression, reinvention and motion that I was searching for.
I am at home in this part of the world. I have lived in Suva, Tamaki (Auckland) and Naarm for equal periods of time. Each of these places is part of my flesh. I carry all my memories in my hair.
Could you share a little background around your writing, art and installation creations?
Imagination and Love is at the heart of my creative practice. I create because I want to have intimacy with the whole world. I have been working across poetry, performance, installation and sound. Many of my works come straight from dreams. There are often elements of play, ritual and improvisation. The process feels like going away on an inward journey, then sharing my findings with the world. Each work I put out into the world is an offering, a gift.
Do you have any particular rituals or practices that aid you?
Tea and coffee. I drink tea and coffee throughout the day and night. I write in my dream journal every morning. Mornings after dreaming is when I feel most creative. I play with mirrors, flames and instruments to draw out creative material from my subconscious.
If you had a message for your younger self.. what would it be?
When I was young I didn’t know anything. I am younger now and know even less. All I can say is it is okay not to know. The unknown is the space of creation. Follow your whims, not the will of others.
