T-shirt and sticker design for Antifascist Aotearoa

I was invited by Antifascist Aotearoa to design a version of the classic antifa flags graphic, customised for Aotearoa with the iconic Tino Rangatiratanga flag — a popular symbol of the movement for Māori self-determination in Aotearoa New Zealand. Antifascist Aotearoa had the permission and blessing of the flag’s last living designer, Linda Munn, to use this iconic design.

This was a huge honour for me, as the flag is such an important and meaningful piece of Aotearoa’s recent history. Hiraina Marsden created the original design, that was later sewed by Jan Smith and Linda Munn. The flag was first revealed to the public on 6 February, Waitangi Day, 1990

The black represents Te Kore (the void), the space beyond the world of everyday experience. White represents Te Ao Marama, the world of light. Red represents coming into being and life, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother. The koru (spiral, symbolising an unfurling fern frond) in the centre suggests the unfolding and renewal of life.

Document produced by the designers of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag: Hiraina Marsden, Jan Smith, and Linda Munn, explaining the symbolism used.

THE BRIEF

Antifacist Aotearoa is a nationwide network of antifascists across Aotearoa New Zealand. They wanted to create a local version of the classic antifa flag graphic, that connected fascism with colonialism and was unique to Aotearoa.

Specifically they wanted to use the design for stickers and t-shirts, but it would likely have a wider use in future.

Photograph of an antifascist flag by Leonhard Lenz. Taken at the Antifascist RCC bicycle demonstration Berlin 2020-05-30 11, CC0 1.0

THE PROCESS

I took great care to warp the Tino Rangatiratanga flag to fit the design, without excessively distorting or altering it’s original design. This took some time, but it was important to me to treat the source material with the respect it deserves.