Author inspires students
Talked of the importance of doing what you love
Ōtaki College received a visit from Samoan comic book artist, author, pro wrestler and activist Michel Mulipola last month as part of the ReadNZ Authors in Schools programme.
Mulipola spoke to the Year 7 and 8 students about his passion for drawing and reading from a very young age, and how that has led to his involvement in numerous projects such as working with Marvel, Disney Animation Studios, and others on projects such as trading cards and the upcoming film Moana 2.
Students were able to recognise many of Mulipola’s artworks due to his involvement in working with School Journals and illustrating a number of stories and articles that are used in the college’s classrooms every day.
Mulipola also spoke to students about the importance of doing things you love, and always finding joy in the things you are doing.
Students were wowed when shown photos of his home office — a gamer and comic book artist’s dream space.
Mulipola shared many of his adventures with students, including how he came to be involved in pro wrestling, and his love of the game Tekken and where it has taken him.
He highlighted the importance of their cultures and identities being represented in the books and movies they read and watch, and how representation and standing up for what you believe in matters.
Mulipola then ran an illustration workshop with a smaller group of Year 7 and 8 students, where he demonstrated a range of techniques for drawing comics, wowing the students with how fast he could create characters, and giving them some constructive feedback on their own.
The students were appreciative and voiced how much they enjoyed this visit.
Many of them presented Michel with their own art at the end of the session.