Māori Mermaid Artist Jess Thompson Carr: A Journey of Identity and Belonging

Jess Thompson Carr, known as the Māori Mermaid, has found her place in the world, but her journey to self-acceptance wasn’t always smooth. Discover how this talented artist embraced her unique identity and uses her art to inspire others.

The Mermaid Narrative

Throughout history, various cultures have shared stories of mermaids—mystical beings that are half-human, half-fish, capable of living both on land and under the sea. In the classic fairy tale, the Little Mermaid gains legs to walk among humans but loses her voice. This narrative of being magical yet silenced resonates deeply with Māori artist Jess Thompson Carr (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine).

Meet Jess Thompson Carr

Born and raised in Dunedin, the 25-year-old artist and poet holds a degree in English literature and art history, as well as a master’s in Māori ekphrastic poetry from the University of Otago. Jess has amassed a significant following of over 28,000 on Instagram as the Māori Mermaid, where she shares her art that blends te ao Māori and fantasy. Her illustrations explore themes of race, culture, colonization, sexuality, identity, and gender.

Art as a Reflection of Identity

Jess’s artwork, including pieces like Captain Crook, You Can Be of Several Worlds and Still Belong, Avatar – Hina, and Te Awa Atua, combines the Māori world with elements of fantasy. For a self-proclaimed nerd enamored with fiction and fantasy, the imagery of mermaids spoke to her as she navigated growing up in te ao Pākehā as someone who is both Māori and Pākehā.

The Struggle with Identity

Jess often faced doubt when expressing her Māori identity. People’s expectations of how a Māori should look or act led to questioning her heritage, which was painful for her. She explains, “When I tell people I’m Māori, I’m telling people I’m my mother, I’m my tīpuna, and if people question that, they’re questioning my tīpuna and where I come from, and that hurts.”

Even when her identity was accepted, she encountered negativity about being Māori, which made her feel as though something was wrong with her. She wanted to change this narrative and affirm that one can be part of two different cultures and still belong.

Embracing and Celebrating Identity

Jess aims to embrace and celebrate her identity without feeling shame. The image of a mermaid, being part of two different worlds, resonates with her. She says, “There’s a majesty and a glamour to it, there’s a bit of fun but also a bit of darkness, a bit of fantasy but it’s still grounded as well. All of these elements reflect what a very complex being I and so many other Māori people are.”

Reclaiming Heritage

Jess has studied te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and mahi toi at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. She is currently traveling around New Zealand to connect with her whakapapa and papakāinga for the first time. She is making up for lost traditions and reclaiming her heritage for her descendants. “Now it’s our moment, and it’s my whānau’s time. I just want things to be different for the next generation,” she shares.

Inspiring Others

Through her art and personal journey, Jess Thompson Carr inspires others to embrace their identities. Her story is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the beauty of belonging to multiple worlds.