YOWA’s moving artworks invite us on an intimate exploration of personal experience as the artist navigates pregnancy, miscarriage, climate anxiety and ultimately, celebration of new life. Each artwork in the series unpacks a distinct chapter and narrative that is deeply personal.

Part III – The Sleep Thief is a celebration of new life as the ‘Sleep Thief’ and his favourite sidekick, ‘Captain Ted’ sit astride their trusty bearded elf-dog. Together they travel and adventure across the land in search of fresh milk, and hearts to conquer.

YOWA brings these characters to life in her signature style of painting with bold and playful characters which are often featured in her public artworks. The expressive tonal exploration seen in Part’s I and II of the series is still referenced, but YOWA’s characters are front and centre, bringing us full circle, as life begins anew with the most cherished of arrivals.

Painting of a child astride a mythical animal, acrylic on canvas.