Artists Niko Leyden and Kemi Whitwell, creators of collectable ‘Mini Huts’, are seeking journal entries, sketches and paintings from trampers for their new project, ‘Bush Craft’.

The duo will compile handwritten notes and artwork into a small anthology, a creative snapshot of the backcountry. 

“We hope trampers will get involved by taking a sketchbook on their next hike, first to connect with their creativity and second to allow their    personal experience to have a deeper ripple effect within the backcountry community,” Niko said.

The idea was inspired by one of their early public art projects in Wellington for which they created miniature huts and placed them in parks, each with a blank book inside similar to a DOC intentions book.

The books filled quickly with poems, drawings, funny trip reports, personal stories and interactions between strangers. 

“Based on this experience, and what we’ve read about how walking on uneven ground and being surrounded by nature boosts the brain’s creativity, we were inspired to assess the creativity of Aotearoa trampers,” Niko said.

“It’s not uncommon, out in the bush, to end up sharing personal stories with strangers. There’s a kinship with fellow trampers that can sometimes be rendered invisible in the busy ‘real’ world.” 

Creations should be emailed to contact@keminiko.com by October 1.