Sunday, October 26, 2008

Wahine Exhibition

Lane Gallery 2008, Auckland.

'Wahine'

From our first breath to our last, we are wrapped in cloth.
When we are at our most vulnerable, alone with our dreams, cloth embraces us.
It takes on our emotions, memories, hopes and pain. Imbued with the wairua of the past the blanket forms intimate associations.

Often these are feminine associations, that of Motherly love, childbirth or illness.
Women are the keepers of knowledge, passed from mother to child.
This work celebrates the women in my life who have taught me,
inspired me, scolded me, loved me, and made me who I am.

Dedicated to the memory of Kate Harbutt - Weaver, teacher, mother, friend.
Whilst we morn your loss, you live on in your teaching and the stories you have left behind.
Haere atu ra, haere atu ra.

'Story Talker'

Work in progress.

'Ataahua'

'Trace'

'Salve'

'Haere Atu Ra'

'Fragment'

'Fragment'

'Fragment' (detail)

Tangi Exhibition


MIA Gallery 2007, Napier


'Ngakau' (detail)

We gather together to mourn.
We mourn freely, letting the tears flow and the hupe run, this helps to ease the pain.
the tupapaku is lies within the whare, whanau on all sides, until it is time for the final journey.
We bring with us the spirits of those who have passed on before us.
They will help to guide the way on the long path to Hawaiki-nui.
The cry goes out, shrill and haunting.
"Aue, aue aue;
Haere, haere, haere
haere atu ra e hoa
haere atu ki Hawaiki-nui,
Hawaiki-roa,
Hawaiki-pamamao.
Aue, aue, aue"


'Ngakau' Hand stitched flag with cotton and silk applique on wool, cotton backing.



Installation at MIA Gallery, Napier


Installation at MIA Gallery, Napier


'Te Ao Marama' Framed hand stitched flag, woollen blanket with Hemp Applique, cotton backing.


'Mamae' Framed hand stitched flag, woollen blanket with wool and silk applique, cotton backing



'Wairua' Framed hand stitched flag, woollen blanket with cotton thread, cotton backing


'Harmony' Framed hand stitched flag, woollen blanket with silk and cotton applique, cotton backing.


'Sampler 1-4' Woollen blanket with silk, cotton and wool applique, cotton backing



'Tangi' Hand stitched flag with cotton applique on wool, cotton backing.



'Ake Ake Ake' Hand stitched flag with cotton and wool applique on woollen blanket, cotton backing.


'Ka Ora Ka Mate' Hand stitched flag with cotton applique on woollen blanket, cotton backing.


'Ngakau Whetu'' Hand stitched flag with cotton applique on woollen blanket, cotton backing.



'Black Cross' Hand stitched flag with silk and wool applique on woollen blanket, cotton backing.