Jo Randerson ONZM (they/them) is an Arts Foundation New Generation Laureate, and the founder and artistic director of Barbarian Productions. They are an award-winning playwright and author and a graduate of the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University . Jo has published four volumes of short fiction and poetry and a number of plays.

Secret Art Powers, Jo's latest book, identifies six areas of creative expertise - lies, multiplicity, fluidity, failure, live body, and imagination - and shows how thinking like an artist can increase personal resilience, unleash innovation, dissolve unhealthy power relationships, and help us describe and navigate the complex situations we find ourselves in.

Kete had a chat to Jo about her current projects, releasing Secret Art Powers, and the inspiration of volcanic maunga.

Kia ora Jo! What’s been the best part of writing and releasing Secret Art Powers? Can you tell us more about it?

Secret Art Powers is a book which shares philosophies that underpin the creative process. Powers like Fluidity, being able to bend around impossible tasks, or Multiplicity, allowing disparate realities to comfortably co-exist. I keep hearing people talk about how important 'stability' and 'security' are, but not often do we discuss the value of change and disruption. The best thing about writing Secret Art Powers has been doing live talks in front of an audience to explore the concepts. Plus having drawing parties to create the illustrations. We also made short animations to illustrate each power - I loved the multi-media aspect of creating this book. We live in a rapidly shifting, unstable world: the people who know how best how to thrive with uncertainty are artists.

Who is your ideal reader for this book? Who needs to read it?

I've had great feedback from government workers, folk working in creative industries, anyone who wants an inspirational change-up in their thinking. At first I thought artists wouldn't need it because they know these powers already, but artists tell me they feel 'seen' and validated reading it, which makes me happy. Tertiary teachers have also enjoyed sharing the book with their students.

Tell us what inspires you? An author, a book, a place, or whatever you like…

Volcanic rocks inspire me, islands like Staffa in the Hebrides or maunga like Taranaki. I love ancient earth structures, nature's art forms.

What Aotearoa New Zealand book do you wish you’d written?

You are now entering the Human Heart by Janet Frame. I used to sleep with that under my pillow.

What’s been your best read this year so far?

I loved Lynda Barry's What It is.

And last, but definitely not least, what are you writing next?

I'm writing a theatre show about how humans connect to our souls in a Western post-religious reality. I'm also making a graphic book about neurodiversity and my life.

Secret Art Powers is available in bookstores now.